Revolut can make travelling, holding foreign currencies and managing day-to-day spending unusually convenient, but that doesn’t mean every customer will save money by upgrading. Its plans now range from £0 to £55 a month, with cash-withdrawal limits, foreign-exchange allowances and bundled benefits varying substantially between tiers. also requires a more careful answer than Revolut’s new UK banking licence might suggest. Eligible deposits held by Revolut Bank UK Ltd can now receive up to £120,000 of Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection, but migration from Revolut’s e-money institution is phased. Savings, investments and cryptocurrency may also sit with different entities and receive different protections. actical verdict is that the free plan remains useful, particularly for moderate travel spending. Paid plans can work, but only where their measurable benefits match how you actually use the account.

Quick verdict

Revolut offers strong value for international spending, multiple currencies and app-based money management, especially on its free Standard plan. Its main weakness is a complicated fee and protection structure: foreign-exchange timing, monthly allowances, cash-machine limits and account entities all matter. It is worth considering for travellers, freelancers and digitally confident customers, but people who depend on cash, branches or telephone-led support may find a conventional bank more suitable.

Revolut review scorecard

Category	Score
Everyday banking	4.3/5
International spending	4.7/5
Fees and value	4.0/5
App and budgeting tools	4.5/5
Cash withdrawals	3.4/5
Customer support	3.3/5
Safety and regulation	4.1/5
Overall rating	4.1/5

These are editorial scores based on documented functionality, fees, restrictions and regulatory protection as at 25 June 2026. They are not scores from a hands-on account test. The overall rating gives greater weight to everyday banking, overseas use, fees and financial protection than to bundled lifestyle benefits.

Revolut at a glance

Detail	Revolut UK position
Provider	Revolut Bank UK Ltd or Revolut Ltd, depending on migration status and service
Account type	UK current account after bank migration; safeguarded e-money account before migration
Available plans	Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra
Monthly cost range	£0 to £55
Card type	Physical and virtual debit cards
UK account details	UK sort code and account number available
Direct Debits	Supported, including GBP Direct Debits
Cash withdrawals	From £200 to £2,000 per monthly billing cycle before Revolut’s excess fee
Currency support	Hold and exchange 30-plus currencies
Savings availability	Instant-access savings through partner banks
Customer support	24/7 in-app support; in-app calls on Premium, Metal and Ultra
Regulator	FCA and PRA for Revolut Bank UK Ltd; FCA for relevant Revolut Ltd services
Relevant money protection	FSCS for eligible bank deposits; safeguarding for unmigrated e-money; separate partner-bank protection for eligible savings
Best suited to	Travellers, multi-currency users, freelancers and app-first customers
Main limitation	Charges and protection vary by plan, activity, product and account entity
Information last checked	25 June 2026

Revolut Bank UK Ltd is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA under Financial Services Register number 981170. Revolut Ltd is an FCA-authorised electronic money institution under reference 900562, while investment services are provided by Revolut Trading Ltd under reference 933846. t is Revolut?

Revolut is an app-based financial provider offering UK current-account functions, debit cards, currency exchange, international transfers, budgeting tools, savings and optional investment services. Its strongest distinction from a typical current account is the ability to hold and exchange more than 30 currencies within one app. service began as an electronic money account rather than a bank account. Revolut Bank UK Ltd received a restricted banking licence in 2024 and became a fully operational UK bank in March 2026. Customer migration is continuing in stages rather than happening to every account simultaneously. istinction matters. Your everyday account may be with Revolut Bank UK Ltd or the e-money institution Revolut Ltd. Savings are provided by Revolut Ltd with partner banks, investment services are provided by Revolut Trading Ltd, and cryptocurrency services fall under separate terms. These products should not be treated as if they all have identical regulatory protection. does Revolut work in the UK?

Revolut is managed primarily through its mobile app. Eligible applicants supply a mobile number, email address, personal details, identity document and selfie. Most adult services require the customer to be at least 18, although restricted accounts are available to eligible UK residents aged 16 or 17. he account is approved, customers can:

• Receive money using a UK account number and sort code.
• Have a salary paid in.
• Set up Direct Debits and standing orders.
• Add money through a bank transfer, eligible debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
• Use physical, standard virtual and eligible disposable virtual cards.
• Hold and exchange currencies.
• Send UK and international transfers.

Card top-ups from UK and EEA consumer debit cards are normally free. Commercial cards and cards issued outside the UK or EEA may attract a variable charge, which Revolut displays before confirmation. An external card issuer may also apply its own cash-advance or foreign-transaction charge. ening a Revolut account: the basic steps

1. Download the Revolut app and register a mobile number.
2. Enter your name, address, date of birth, citizenship and email address.
3. Upload an accepted government-issued identity document.
4. Complete a selfie and any additional identity or source-of-funds checks.
5. Select Standard or a paid plan, then order a physical card or create a virtual card.

Approval isn’t guaranteed, and additional verification can be requested where Revolut must meet anti-money-laundering or account-security requirements.

Revolut plans and fees in 2026

The paid plans are 12-month subscriptions that can be paid monthly or annually. Paying annually reduces the effective monthly price, but it also means committing more money upfront. Benefits such as insurance and third-party subscriptions should only be counted as genuine savings when you would otherwise buy and use them.	Monthly price	Annual price	Effective monthly price annually	Saving versus 12 monthly payments	Fee-free ATM allowance	Exchange allowance	International-transfer benefit	Main card or bundled benefit	Best fit
Standard	£0	£0	£0	£0	Five withdrawals, up to £200	£1,000; 1% thereafter	None	Free virtual cards; first physical card free before delivery	Light users and occasional travellers
Plus	£3.99	£40	£3.33	£7.88	£200	£3,000; 0.5% thereafter	None	Personalised card and everyday purchase protection	Users exchanging more than Standard allows
Premium	£7.99	£80	£6.67	£15.88	£400	No fair-usage limit	20% Revolut fee discount	Partner subscriptions and priority support	Regular currency users
Metal	£14.99	£140	£11.67	£39.88	£800	No fair-usage limit	40% Revolut fee discount	Metal card, subscriptions and travel insurance	Frequent travellers
Ultra	£55	£540	£45	£120	£2,000	No fair-usage limit	100% Revolut fee discount	Ultra card, lounge access, data and cancellation cover	Heavy users who value several premium benefits

Calculations:

• Plus: £3.99 × 12 = £47.88; annual billing saves £7.88.
• Premium: £7.99 × 12 = £95.88; annual billing saves £15.88.
• Metal: £14.99 × 12 = £179.88; annual billing saves £39.88.
• Ultra: £55 × 12 = £660; annual billing saves £120.

After the cash-machine allowance, Revolut charges 2% of each withdrawal, subject to a minimum charge of £1. International-transfer charges can depend on the currency, amount and destination, and are displayed in the app. UK same-currency transfers and euro SEPA payments are normally free. nce is subject to eligibility, policy wording and exclusions. Revolut’s current plan information places travel medical, car-hire excess, winter-sports and luggage cover on Metal and Ultra rather than Premium. Ultra also advertises unlimited airport-lounge access and eligible trip or event cancellation cover. the free Standard plan genuinely free?

Standard has no monthly subscription fee, but it isn’t free in every possible use case.

There is no unavoidable opening charge if you use a virtual card and fund the account by a free method. A first physical card is listed as free, although a delivery charge may apply.

Optional costs include:

• Physical-card delivery.
• Additional, replacement and special-edition cards.
• Paid lounge access or other add-ons.
• Investment, cryptocurrency and commodities charges.

Usage-based costs include:

• A 1% fair-usage charge on exchanges exceeding £1,000 in a billing cycle.
• A 1% weekend exchange charge.
• A 2% cash-withdrawal charge, with a £1 minimum, after the Standard allowance.
• Variable non-SEPA international-transfer charges.
• Fees for eligible commercial or non-UK/EEA card top-ups.

Revolut shows variable transaction charges before confirmation where possible. Card delivery and replacement prices are also shown in the app rather than represented by one universal figure. ich Revolut plan offers the best value?

Occasional travellers: Standard will usually be sufficient when foreign-currency spending remains within £1,000 per billing cycle and exchanges can be made outside the weekend charging period.

Frequent travellers: Premium removes fair-usage and weekend exchange charges, but it doesn’t include Revolut’s current travel-insurance package. Metal is the first tier aimed clearly at travellers who want both larger cash withdrawals and insurance.

Everyday UK users: Standard is generally the rational starting point. Direct Debits, transfers, a debit card and budgeting tools don’t require a paid subscription.

Higher cash-withdrawal users: Premium, Metal and Ultra increase the allowance, but the allowance alone may not justify upgrading. Premium’s additional £200 monthly allowance can avoid a maximum of £4 a month in Revolut withdrawal fees compared with Standard, or £48 a year. That is less than Premium’s £80 annual price.

Metal can avoid up to £12 a month where a customer consistently withdraws the full £800 allowance rather than Standard’s £200. That theoretical £144 annual saving is close to Metal’s £140 annual subscription, although cash-machine operator charges may still apply.

People attracted by subscriptions or insurance: Compare the included product with what you would independently buy. Don’t use Revolut’s advertised “benefit value” as an automatic saving. A streaming, security or dating subscription has no financial value to someone who wouldn’t otherwise pay for it.

For weekday currency exchange alone, Plus’s £40 annual fee would require more than £4,000 of annual exchange above Standard’s monthly allowances to recover through avoided 1% fees, subject to Plus’s own £3,000 monthly limit. Premium’s £80 annual fee requires roughly £8,000 of annual exchange above Standard allowances to break even on that fee alone.

Revolut exchange rates and international spending

Revolut applies its own exchange rate, calculated using factors including the prevailing market rate, the amount exchanged and its costs. The exact rate and any additional charge are displayed in the app, so it shouldn’t be described as a guaranteed interbank or mid-market rate. rd customers can exchange £1,000 per billing cycle before a 1% fair-usage fee applies. Plus customers receive £3,000 before a 0.5% charge. Premium, Metal and Ultra have no fair-usage exchange limit. Fiat currency, cryptocurrency and commodities exchanges all count towards the relevant combined allowance. rate timing charge applies between 5pm Friday and 6pm Sunday Eastern Time:

• Standard: 1%.
• Plus: 0.5%.
• Premium, Metal and Ultra: no additional weekend exchange charge.

This timing is defined in Eastern Time rather than British time, so the corresponding UK hours move when US and UK daylight-saving dates don’t align. The safest approach is to check the app before exchanging. retailer or cash machine asks whether to charge in pounds or the local currency, choose the local currency. Choosing pounds usually invokes dynamic currency conversion, where the merchant or cash-machine operator sets the rate. Revolut can’t control that third-party rate.

International card purchases don’t have a separate “foreign card fee” from Revolut, but any required conversion remains subject to your plan’s exchange rate, allowance and weekend rules. International bank transfers may carry variable charges and intermediary-bank deductions. Revolut displays its charge before the transfer; its “Pay All Fees” option, where offered, applies an upfront price intended to cover the transfer chain. lustrative example: Sarah spends £1,200 in Barcelona

Sarah travels from Manchester to Barcelona and makes euro card purchases equivalent to £1,200 during one Revolut billing cycle. This example assumes the purchases require GBP-to-EUR conversion, no merchant uses dynamic currency conversion, and no other exchanges have consumed her monthly allowance.

If all conversions happen during weekday market hours:

Plan	Illustrative additional exchange charge
Standard	1% of £200 above the allowance = £2
Plus	Within £3,000 allowance = £0
Premium, Metal or Ultra	No fair-usage fee = £0

If the entire £1,200 is converted during Revolut’s weekend period:

Plan	Illustrative additional exchange charge
Standard	£12 weekend charge plus £2 fair-usage charge = £14
Plus	0.5% weekend charge = £6
Premium, Metal or Ultra	£0 additional weekend or fair-usage charge

These figures don’t include the plan subscription or any third-party merchant charge. Actual sterling costs vary with the rate available when each transaction is processed. The example illustrates why timing can matter more than upgrading for an occasional trip. olut cash withdrawal fees

Revolut’s cash-machine allowances reset with the customer’s monthly billing cycle:

Plan	Fee-free allowance charged by Revolut
Standard	Five withdrawals, up to £200
Plus	£200
Premium	£400
Metal	£800
Ultra	£2,000

Once the allowance is exceeded, Revolut charges 2% of the withdrawal, with a minimum charge of £1 per transaction. Currency conversion and weekend charges can also apply if Revolut must convert money for the withdrawal. sh-machine owner may impose its own charge. This is separate from Revolut’s fee and can apply even while the withdrawal remains inside your Revolut allowance.

Illustrative example: James withdraws £100 four times

James withdraws £100 on four occasions in one billing cycle, making total withdrawals of £400. Assume there are no cash-machine operator or currency-conversion fees.

Plan	Calculation	Potential Revolut charge
Standard	First £200 free; 2% on the remaining two £100 withdrawals	£4
Plus	First £200 free; 2% on the remaining £200	£4
Premium	Entire £400 within allowance	£0
Metal or Ultra	Entire £400 within allowance	£0

Premium saves £4 in this month, but that alone does not justify its £7.99 monthly or £80 annual subscription.

Revolut features reviewed

Physical debit card

A first physical card is listed as free on all five plans, but delivery can cost extra. Paid plans offer different card designs and materials. Additional cards cost from £4.99 on Standard, while metal and Ultra cards can carry materially higher replacement or additional-card costs. Exact delivery and replacement charges are displayed before ordering. rd is useful internationally because it draws from an available balance in the relevant currency or converts from another balance. Its value is reduced for anyone who rarely travels and already has a UK bank card without foreign-transaction charges.

Virtual and disposable virtual cards

Standard virtual cards can be created without a card fee and added to a compatible mobile wallet. They are useful for online purchases and can be replaced without waiting for post. able virtual-card details regenerate after an eligible online transaction, reducing the usefulness of stolen card details. They are unsuitable for cash withdrawals, deposits, recurring payments or merchants that need to charge the same card again.

Pockets, budgeting and spending analytics

Pockets separate money for bills, goals or planned expenses without requiring a separate provider. Spending categorisation, instant notifications and analytics help users see where money is going.

These are worthwhile tools, although similar pots, spaces and spending summaries are available from Monzo, Starling and Chase. Their value depends more on whether the customer maintains the habit than on the number of charts inside the app.

Joint accounts

Eligible verified customers can open a joint account where both users meet Revolut’s country and account-entity requirements. It can be useful for household bills and shared spending, but customers should check which entity holds the joint balance and how each person’s protection is calculated.

For an eligible Revolut Bank joint account, the balance is normally divided equally for FSCS purposes. Each holder can receive protection up to the applicable individual limit, taking their other eligible deposits with the same authorised bank into account. volut Kids & Teens

Linked accounts are available for younger family members, with the current comparison page advertising support for children and teenagers aged 6 to 17. Parents can oversee spending and card controls. ay reduce the need for a separate children’s account, but families should compare parental controls, cash access and savings rates with dedicated children’s bank accounts.

Savings

Revolut offers instant-access savings in GBP and selected other currencies through partner banks. These savings are provided by Revolut Ltd in conjunction with the relevant bank, rather than being deposits with Revolut Bank UK Ltd. The partner bank and applicable terms can be found in the app. 25 June 2026, eligible new customers opening savings between 5 June and 4 August 2026 could receive a promotional 5% AER variable rate on up to £25,000 until 4 December 2026. Amounts above the threshold receive a blended rate based partly on the customer’s plan, and the rate reverts to the applicable plan rate after the promotion. This is a temporary offer, not a permanent reason to buy a paid plan. lary payments and Direct Debits

A Revolut account can receive salary payments and support Direct Debits and standing orders. This makes it technically capable of serving as a main current account for many customers.

Before moving all income and bills, check your account entity, access to support, cash and cheque needs, and whether you want to keep a backup account. A second debit card from an unrelated banking group can also be useful during outages or account-security reviews.

International transfers and currency accounts

Revolut-to-Revolut transfers, UK same-currency transfers and SEPA euro payments are listed as free. Other international-transfer prices depend on the amount, destination and currency. Premium receives a 20% discount on Revolut’s charge, Metal 40%, and Ultra a 100% discount. Intermediary-bank costs can still matter unless covered by an available Pay All Fees option. s a strong feature for people paid in different currencies or regularly sending money abroad. Wise may offer clearer per-transfer pricing for customers whose main concern is a specific international transfer rather than broader current-account features.

Rewards, RevPoints and cashback

RevPoints can be converted into eligible travel rewards such as airline miles or used for certain Revolut bookings. The earning rate is one point per:

• £10 on Standard and Plus.
• £4 on Premium.
• £2 on Metal.
• £1 on Ultra.

RevPoints aren’t the same as cash, and their value depends on how they are redeemed. Customers shouldn’t treat one point as having a fixed cash value. t Pro offers cashback on eligible Pro card spending, currently ranging from 0.4% on Standard and Plus to 1% on Ultra. Acquiring and payment-processing services may carry separate fees, so freelancers should compare the net benefit rather than the headline cashback rate. avel benefits and insurance

Metal and Ultra include Revolut’s current travel-insurance benefits, subject to policy eligibility, payment conditions and exclusions. Ultra additionally advertises unlimited lounge access, 3GB of monthly global mobile data and eligible trip or event cancellation cover. nce shouldn’t be valued only by its maximum claim limit. The policy definition of a covered trip, medical exclusions, age limits, trip-duration rules and requirement to pay through Revolut may be more important.

Investments and cryptocurrency

Revolut provides access to stocks, commodities and cryptocurrency, but these are separate products rather than protected current-account deposits. Investment services are provided by Revolut Trading Ltd, while cryptocurrency and commodities fall under other Revolut entities and terms. Commodities services are not regulated by the FCA. losses aren’t covered by the FSCS. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile and Revolut states that crypto balances aren’t safeguarded or protected as bank deposits. Uninvested investment-account cash may be safeguarded under separate arrangements, but that is not the same as FSCS deposit protection. Customers should check the relevant entity and terms before investing.

Revolut Pro and business-related use

Revolut Pro is intended for eligible freelancers and sole traders who want to separate professional income and expenditure within their personal-app environment. It can provide a Pro card, payment-acceptance tools and plan-dependent cashback.

It isn’t a substitute for a full business account in every case. Limited companies, businesses with employees, high transaction volumes or complex accounting requirements should compare Revolut Business and specialist business accounts separately.

Is Revolut safe in the UK?

Revolut is a regulated financial provider and Revolut Bank UK Ltd is now a fully licensed UK bank, but the protection applying to your money depends on your account entity and product. It would be inaccurate to say that every Revolut balance automatically receives FSCS protection.

Revolut Bank UK Ltd is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA under Financial Services Register number 981170. Revolut Ltd remains an FCA-authorised electronic money institution under reference 900562. CS protection

The UK deposit-protection limit increased from £85,000 to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm on 1 December 2025. It applies to qualifying deposits with UK-authorised banks, building societies and credit unions. grated Revolut Bank accounts, Revolut says the following eligible balances count towards the £120,000 limit:

• GBP and non-GBP current-account balances.
• Pockets.
• Group Pockets belonging to their creator.
• Revolut Pro balances.
• Eligible Kids & Teens balances attributed to the main parent.
• Joint-account balances, normally split equally between the account holders.

Crypto, commodities and stocks aren’t covered by Revolut Bank’s deposit protection. feguarding for e-money accounts

Customers who haven’t yet moved to Revolut Bank may still hold e-money with Revolut Ltd. E-money is safeguarded, meaning relevant customer funds must be separated from Revolut’s operational money under the electronic-money rules.

Safeguarding is not the same as FSCS deposit protection. In an insolvency, returning safeguarded money can depend on the insolvency process, reconciliation and associated costs. There is no FSCS promise to compensate an eligible customer automatically up to £120,000 simply because the balance is safeguarded.

Savings protection

Savings are placed with third-party partner banks and may qualify for FSCS protection up to £120,000 per eligible depositor, per bank. Any other eligible deposits the customer holds directly or indirectly with the same partner bank count towards that shared limit. The partner’s name is shown in the savings terms and important: check which Revolut entity holds your money**

Open the Revolut app, go to the home screen and select Details beneath your balance. The account details and statements should identify whether the account is held with Revolut Bank UK Ltd or Revolut Ltd. Revolut says customers receive notices two months, one month and one week before migration, followed by confirmation when the move is complete. p and card security

Revolut’s documented controls include biometric checks, device verification, transaction monitoring, scam warnings, instant card freezing, virtual cards and regenerating disposable-card details. Data transmission is encrypted, while customers can disable functions such as cash withdrawals, contactless payments or online transactions through card controls. measures reduce risk but don’t eliminate it. A customer who approves a fraudulent payment or gives a criminal access to their device may face a more complicated reimbursement process than someone reporting an unauthorised card transaction.

Fraud reimbursement and chargebacks

Mandatory UK reimbursement rules for eligible authorised push payment scams began on 7 October 2024. The Payment Systems Regulator’s statutory scheme normally caps eligible Faster Payments and CHAPS claims at £85,000 and permits a potential £100 excess, subject to protections for vulnerable consumers. The current Help Centre says it will consider eligible APP claims up to £120,000 and normally applies a £100 excess. That is higher than the statutory PSR cap, so it should be treated as a provider-specific policy and checked when making a claim. Claims can be excluded for matters such as civil disputes, certain international payments, transfers to accounts controlled by the customer or failure to meet the required standard of caution. Back is a separate card-scheme dispute process. It may help where goods aren’t delivered or a card payment is disputed, but initiating a chargeback doesn’t guarantee recovery.

What happens if Revolut fails?

The outcome depends on the product:

• Eligible Revolut Bank deposits: FSCS compensation up to £120,000 per eligible person, subject to the shared banking-licence limit.
• Revolut Ltd e-money: safeguarded funds should be separated for customers, but return may follow an insolvency process rather than automatic FSCS compensation.
• Savings: eligible deposits are covered under the relevant partner bank’s FSCS limit.
• Stocks, commodities and crypto: separate protections and risks apply; market losses aren’t reimbursed through deposit protection.

Revolut’s main advantages

Strong international-spending features. Holding currencies, viewing conversion costs before confirming and avoiding a separate foreign card fee can make overseas spending easier to understand.

A useful free account. Standard includes UK account details, Direct Debits, virtual cards, budgeting features and a £1,000 exchange allowance without a subscription.

Good app controls. Instant notifications, card freezing, spending controls, virtual cards, Pockets and analytics give customers more immediate control than many traditional current accounts.

Flexible plan range. Customers can choose between free everyday functionality, higher exchange allowances, travel cover, larger cash withdrawals and premium travel benefits.

Support for freelancers and families. Joint accounts, Kids & Teens and Revolut Pro allow several personal and work-related money arrangements to sit within one app.

UK bank status. Revolut Bank’s full UK banking licence is a material improvement for migrated customers whose eligible deposits now fall within the FSCS regime.

Revolut’s main disadvantages

Fees can be difficult to predict. The final cost may depend on the plan, monthly usage, day and time, currency, destination, card type and involvement of intermediary banks.

Standard has fairly modest cash limits. Five withdrawals and £200 per cycle can be restrictive for people who regularly use cash.

Support remains app-led. Support is advertised as available around the clock, but Standard and Plus customers rely mainly on in-app chat. Premium, Metal and Ultra receive in-app calling. deposits have been discontinued.** Revolut ended its UK personal cash-deposit facility on 13 February 2026. Bank transfers, debit cards and digital wallets remain available. ue support is limited.** Revolut does not currently advertise a normal UK personal cheque-paying-in process. Customers who regularly receive cheques should retain an account that supports mobile or postal cheque deposits and verify the latest position with Revolut.

Protection varies by entity and product. An e-money balance, bank deposit, partner-bank saving, investment and cryptoasset don’t receive identical treatment.

Paid plans involve a 12-month arrangement. Downgrading early can trigger charges or loss of benefits, particularly where a premium card has been ordered or insurance and subscriptions have been used. Customers should read the cancellation section before upgrading. rance has exclusions.** A high claim limit is not proof that a particular trip, pre-existing condition or cancellation will be covered.

Investments and cryptocurrency can fall sharply. Regulatory authorisation doesn’t protect customers against market losses.

Who is Revolut best for?

Revolut may suit you if…

• You make regular card purchases in foreign currencies.
• You want to hold several currencies in one app.
• You travel but don’t need large amounts of cash.
• You’re comfortable handling support and security through an app.
• You want virtual cards, spending controls and budgeting Pockets.
• You’re a freelancer who can use Revolut Pro’s separate balance and card.
• You can identify specific paid-plan benefits worth more than the subscription.

Revolut may not suit you if…

• You routinely deposit cash or cheques.
• You want branch-based help or telephone support on a free account.
• You regularly withdraw more than £200 in cash but don’t need other paid benefits.
• You prefer a simple foreign-spending policy with no weekend exchange rule.
• You want every financial product under one clearly stated FSCS limit.
• You’re tempted to pay for Metal or Ultra mainly for the card design.
• You’re likely to use cryptocurrency or investments without understanding the risks.

Revolut compared with alternatives

Provider	Basic monthly cost	Overseas card spending	Cash withdrawals	Currency holding	Branch, cash or cheque services	Deposit protection	Standout use case
Revolut Standard	£0	Revolut rate; allowance and weekend fees can apply	£200 and five withdrawals, then 2%/£1 minimum	30-plus currencies	No branches; cash deposits discontinued	FSCS only for eligible migrated bank deposits; otherwise safeguarding	Holding currencies and combining travel tools
Monzo	£0	No Monzo foreign-transaction fee; Mastercard rate	Allowance depends on main-bank status and location; 3% after limit	No broad multi-currency wallet	Cash at PayPoint/Post Office for £1; cheque deposits supported	FSCS up to £120,000	UK budgeting and main-current-account use
Starling Bank	£0	No Starling fee; Mastercard rate	No Starling withdrawal charge, though operators may charge	GBP plus optional euro account	Post Office cash and mobile/postal cheques	FSCS up to £120,000	Straightforward fee-free travel and UK banking
Wise	£0; physical card £7	Mid-market rate plus conversion fee where needed	£250 monthly, then 2.69% on excess	40-plus currencies	No cash or cheque deposits	Safeguarding, not FSCS for e-money	Transparent transfers and extensive currency holding
Chase UK	£0	Mastercard rate with no Chase markup or transaction fee	£500 daily; £1,500 overseas monthly limit	No multi-currency wallet	No cash or cheque deposits	FSCS up to £120,000	Fee-free card travel and qualifying cashback

Monzo’s free account charges no foreign-transaction fee and provides up to £200 of fee-free non-EEA cash withdrawals every 30 days when it is used as the customer’s main bank. It supports cash deposits at PayPoint and the Post Office for £1 and mobile cheque deposits up to £500. ng’s personal account has no monthly fee. It supports Post Office cash deposits, including £1,000 each calendar year without a charge, and cheque deposits through the app up to £1,000. It also offers an optional euro account with a 0.4% conversion charge between the GBP and euro accounts. olds more than 40 currencies without a monthly account fee but charges for conversion. Its physical card costs £7, and from 1 May 2026 it provides £250 of monthly cash withdrawals before a 2.69% excess charge. Wise’s e-money balances are safeguarded rather than covered as bank deposits by the FSCS. charges no markup or transaction fee on foreign card purchases, subject to the Mastercard exchange rate. Overseas cash withdrawals are capped at £1,500 per calendar month, and Chase does not accept cash or cheques or currently support international transfers. is no universal winner. Revolut is stronger for holding currencies and combining travel services. Wise suits customers focused on transparent international transfers. Starling offers the clearest combination of fee-free travel and cash or cheque access. Monzo is particularly strong for UK budgeting, while Chase may appeal to customers prioritising foreign card spending and cashback.

Is Revolut worth it in 2026?

The Standard plan is worth considering for customers who want multi-currency features or a secondary travel card without a monthly commitment. A paid plan makes sense only when the expected savings and benefits exceed its annual cost.

Use this three-question check:

1. How much will I exchange or spend in foreign currencies each billing cycle?
   Below £1,000 and outside the weekend period, Standard may be enough.
2. How much cash will I withdraw?
   Upgrading solely to avoid cash-machine fees rarely justifies Premium or Ultra. Metal can come closer for consistently heavy withdrawals, but third-party charges remain possible.
3. Would I independently buy the included insurance and subscriptions?
   Count only products you need, are eligible for and would otherwise purchase.

Customers should also consider whether they need branches, cash deposits, cheque facilities or support by telephone. Most importantly, verify whether the account is already held with Revolut Bank UK Ltd and which protection applies to each product.

Frequently asked questions about Revolut

Is Revolut a bank in the UK?

Yes. Revolut Bank UK Ltd became a fully licensed UK bank in March 2026 and is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA. However, customer migration from Revolut Ltd’s e-money accounts is phased. Check the Details section of the app to establish whether your own account has moved. money in Revolut protected by the FSCS?

Eligible deposits held with Revolut Bank UK Ltd can be protected up to £120,000 per eligible person. Unmigrated e-money is safeguarded instead. Savings use a partner bank’s separate FSCS limit, while stocks, commodities and cryptocurrency aren’t covered as Revolut Bank deposits. Revolut free to use?

Standard has no monthly subscription fee. Charges can still arise from physical-card delivery, additional or replacement cards, cash withdrawals over the allowance, weekend currency exchange, exchanges over £1,000, certain card top-ups and international transfers. es Revolut charge for spending abroad?

There is no separate Revolut foreign card-purchase fee, but a currency conversion may be subject to the Revolut rate, your plan’s allowance and weekend charge. Standard charges 1% above its £1,000 allowance and 1% during the weekend period. Merchants and cash machines can impose separate charges.

How much can I withdraw from a cash machine?

The monthly fee-free allowance ranges from £200 on Standard and Plus to £2,000 on Ultra. Standard is also limited to five withdrawals. Revolut then charges 2% per withdrawal, subject to a £1 minimum. The cash machine operator can add its own charge. es Revolut charge at weekends?

Standard charges 1% and Plus 0.5% on exchanges made between 5pm Friday and 6pm Sunday Eastern Time. Premium, Metal and Ultra have no additional weekend exchange fee. A fair-usage charge can also apply separately when Standard or Plus exceeds its allowance. n I use Revolut as my main bank account?

Yes, it can receive a salary, process Direct Debits, make transfers and support everyday debit-card spending. Before switching everything, consider the app-led support model, cash and cheque limitations, and your account’s current legal entity. Keeping a backup card with another provider may be sensible.

Is Revolut better than Monzo?

Revolut is generally stronger for holding currencies and managing frequent international payments. Monzo provides a simpler UK current-account proposition, cash deposits and cheque support, with no foreign-transaction fee on card purchases. The better choice depends on whether multi-currency use or conventional UK banking functions matter more.

Is Revolut good for travelling?

Yes, particularly for card spending, currency holding, virtual cards and viewing conversion costs in advance. Standard can work well for moderate spending, while Premium removes fair-usage and weekend charges. Metal adds travel insurance. Cash-machine limits, operator fees and dynamic currency conversion still require attention.

What happens if Revolut goes out of business?

Eligible Revolut Bank deposits can be compensated by the FSCS up to £120,000. Revolut Ltd e-money is safeguarded but not covered in the same way. Savings depend on the partner bank’s protection, while investment and cryptocurrency outcomes are governed by separate arrangements and aren’t protected against market losses.

Can I deposit cash or cheques into Revolut?

UK personal cash deposits were discontinued on 13 February 2026. Revolut does not currently advertise a normal personal cheque-deposit facility. Customers can add money by bank transfer, eligible debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay and may need another bank account for cash and cheques. Which Revolut plan is best for most UK customers?

Standard is the best starting point for most customers because it provides the main account, card and budgeting functions without a subscription. Premium may suit regular currency users, while Metal is more appropriate where travel insurance and higher cash withdrawals are genuinely valuable. Ultra remains a specialist, high-cost tier.

Editorial disclaimer

This article provides general information and does not constitute personal financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Fees, rates, limits, benefits and eligibility can change, and readers should check Revolut’s latest terms before applying or upgrading. Investments and cryptocurrency can fall in value, and you may receive back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.

Final verdict

Revolut is one of the more capable UK accounts for foreign currencies, travel spending and an app-based financial organisation. The free Standard plan is worth considering, provided the £1,000 exchange allowance, weekend charge and £200 cash-withdrawal limit fit your usage.

A paid plan can make financial sense for regular currency users or travellers who genuinely need Metal’s insurance, higher withdrawal allowance or Ultra’s wider package. Premium is often the more realistic upgrade for customers who exchange substantial amounts but don’t require travel cover.

The most important fee to check is the total foreign-exchange cost shown before confirmation, particularly at weekends or after an allowance has been used. The most important safety detail is the legal entity holding your account. Customers likely to obtain the greatest value are digitally confident travellers, multi-currency users and freelancers who use several of Revolut’s practical features rather than upgrading for a premium card alone.