Revolut Premium vs Standard: Full comparison guide for the UK

You’ve probably already heard of Revolut from a friend or spotted one of its ads on the Tube. In the UK alone, Revolut already has over 11 million users. And this fintech is making a big push to become a global player.

Revolut offers e-money accounts, debit cards and other money management products, best known for making it easier to move money across borders. Plus, it lets you pick from multiple account tiers, with Standard and Premium being among the most popular choices.

So which should you choose? Whether you’re new to Revolut or thinking about upgrading, this guide will give you the details you need. We’ll go over the differences in fees and limits to travel and lifestyle extras to help you decide.

We’ll also show you a fantastic alternative - the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It’s not a bank account but an international account that lets you manage your money in currencies.

You can send, receive and convert money at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. There’s no monthly fee and you’ll also get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

What is Revolut?

Revolut is a fintech company that offers digital money services entirely through its app. When you sign up, you get an account with a debit card, plus features like lower-cost currency exchange and fast international transfers.¹ Those benefits make it especially attractive if you travel often, live or do business in more than one country or send money to family abroad.

Revolut also offers savings vaults that offer interest, access to global stocks and crypto trading options, plus a points program that lets you earn airline miles or other bonuses.¹

One thing to keep in mind is that Revolut isn’t yet a fully-fledged bank in the UK. It holds a restricted banking license, and the company’s working to expand its status. Recently, it pledged to invest £3 billion and hire 1,000 staff in Britain.²

In the meantime, Revolut operates as an electronic money institution in the UK with a handful of different account tiers. Let’s look at those tiers next.

Revolut Premium vs Standard: Quick overview

Here’s a side-by-side look at what you get with Revolut Standard vs Premium so you can see the differences at a glance:^3,4,5

Revolut Standard: The free option

You don’t need to pay to try out Revolut.³ The Standard account is completely free and gives you the basics you’d expect for everyday banking and light travel.

Basically, you get an account with a debit card, along with some perks that make travel easier. You can take out up to £200 a month or make 5 withdrawals from ATMs without fees, and exchange up to £1,000 a month at the interbank exchange rate on weekdays.⁵ And for every £10 you spend, you get a point that can be redeemed for airline miles, stays or experiences.⁴ You can also hold multiple currencies.

Beyond travel, Standard lets you earn daily interest on savings at around 3.51% AER⁴ and try out Revolut’s basic investing options.³ There’s also 24/7 in-app customer support and the option to open a joint account or up to 5 Revolut kids and teens accounts.³

The app ties it all together with spending alerts, budgeting tools, an early salary option and security features.³

Revolut Premium: The upgrade

If you find yourself bumping up against the limits of the free plan, Revolut Premium could be more your style. For £7.99 a month, you get all the benefits of the Standard account, but with fewer restrictions and more extras.⁴

The biggest upgrade is unlimited currency exchange at interbank rates and a 20% discount on international transfer fees.⁴ You also get a higher ATM withdrawal limit of up to £400 a month without fees.⁴ If you’ve been spending more than £7.99 a month in withdrawal and exchange fees, Premium could quickly pay for itself.

Premium also layers on shopping and lifestyle benefits. These include disposable virtual cards for safer online shopping, purchase protection, extended return policies and discount access to airport lounges.⁴ Members also get partner perks like free Uber One deliveries for new customers and Tinder Plus.⁴

On the money side, Premium bumps up your savings interest rate to 3.75% variable, lets you earn points faster and gives you some commission-free stock trades.⁴ You also get priority customer service and the option to personalize your card design, with express delivery.⁴

Is Revolut Premium worth it?

Whether or not Revolut Premium is worth paying for depends on your money needs. If you mostly stick to everyday spending at home, the free Standard plan could be suitable.

But if you travel often or spend in different currencies, the £7.99 monthly fee for a Premium account may very well be worth it. Unlimited currency exchanges and higher ATM allowances alone could pay for your investment.

Plus, Premium bundles in lifestyle perks that would cost far more if purchased separately. Headspace, for example, currently costs £9.99 a month in the UK.⁶ With Premium, you get that and other perks in one bundled package.

Wise – A great alternative to Revolut

Before opening a Revolut account, you might want to see if a Wise account could be a better fit for your needs.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked 30-Sep-2025