Best Alternatives to Wise or Revolut in 2025: Top UK Fintech Apps Compared
Best Alternatives to Wise or Revolut in 2025: Top UK Fintech Apps Compared
Wise and Revolut dominate the conversation when it comes to multi-currency spending and international money transfers — but they’re far from the only options available to UK consumers in 2025. Whether you’re frustrated with Revolut’s premium plan push, Wise’s transfer fees on certain corridors, or you simply want a proper UK banking licence with FSCS protection, there are excellent alternatives worth considering. From digital banks that offer fee-free overseas spending to challenger apps with cashback rewards and competitive exchange rates, the UK fintech landscape has never been more competitive. In this guide, we compare the best alternatives to Wise or Revolut so you can find the right app for your travel, transfer, and everyday banking needs.
Why Look for Alternatives to Wise or Revolut?
Wise and Revolut are both excellent services, but neither is perfect for every use case. Revolut has built a reputation for slick multi-currency accounts, crypto trading, and budgeting tools, but its aggressive push toward paid plans (Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra) means many core features are now locked behind subscriptions. Free plan users face monthly exchange limits, weekend markup fees, and restricted crypto and stock trading. Customer service can also be slow during peak times, and some users have reported account freezes that are difficult to resolve.
Wise, formerly TransferWise, remains a market leader for international money transfers with transparent mid-market exchange rates and low, clearly displayed fees. However, Wise is not a full bank — it’s an e-money institution. That means your funds aren’t covered by the FSCS (£85,000 protection), though Wise does safeguard client funds separately. Wise also charges fees on every transfer, which can add up if you send money frequently, and its debit card has withdrawal limits and fees after a modest monthly allowance.
Many UK users want a proper bank account with FSCS protection, fee-free card spending abroad, and competitive exchange rates — all without a monthly subscription. That’s where digital banks like Monzo, Starling, and Chase UK come in. These alternatives combine everyday banking features with travel-friendly benefits that rival, and in some cases exceed, what Revolut and Wise offer. Below, we explore the strongest contenders.
Monzo: The All-Rounder UK Digital Bank
Monzo is one of the most popular digital banks in the UK, and for good reason. As a fully licensed UK bank, your deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. Monzo offers a sleek app-based current account with instant spending notifications, budgeting pots, salary sorter features, and excellent customer support that’s available 24/7 through in-app chat.
For travellers, Monzo is a genuinely strong alternative to Revolut. The Monzo debit card supports fee-free spending and cash withdrawals abroad, using the Mastercard exchange rate with no additional markup. Unlike Revolut’s free plan, there’s no monthly limit on fee-free exchange — though there is a £500 limit on fee-free cash withdrawals abroad every 30 days, after which a 3% fee applies. This is more generous than Wise’s card, which charges a fee after just two withdrawals or £200 per month.
Monzo also offers savings accounts with competitive interest rates, integrated savings pots with interest, and a range of subscription tiers (Monzo Plus, Premium, and Perks) for users who want additional features like custom cards, travel insurance, and cashback at selected retailers. However, the free plan is more than sufficient for most users and doesn’t gate essential travel features behind a paywall.
Where Monzo falls short compared to Wise is in international money transfers. Monzo partners with Wise for its international transfer feature, meaning you get Wise’s rates and fees through the Monzo app — convenient, but not cheaper than using Wise directly. For multi-currency holding and exchange, Revolut still has the edge. But for everyday UK banking combined with hassle-free travel spending, Monzo is hard to beat.
Starling Bank: Fee-Free Travel with Award-Winning Service
Starling Bank is another fully licensed UK digital bank that consistently ranks among the best alternatives to Wise or Revolut. Founded in 2014, Starling has built a reputation for excellent customer service, winning numerous awards including Best British Bank multiple years running. Like Monzo, Starling offers FSCS protection up to £85,000.
Starling’s travel offering is remarkably straightforward: fee-free card spending abroad with no exchange rate markup, and no fees on cash withdrawals overseas. There are no monthly limits on fee-free foreign spending, and ATM withdrawals abroad are free up to £300 per day (subject to your account balance). This makes Starling arguably the simplest and most transparent option for holiday spending — no subscriptions, no weekend markups, no monthly exchange caps.
The Starling app includes real-time spending notifications, spending insights, savings goals with competitive interest rates, and a connected card feature for Apple Pay and Google Pay. Starling also offers a euro account and a US dollar account for customers who need to hold and spend in those currencies, though these come with monthly fees and are more limited than Revolut’s multi-currency offering.
Where Starling excels is in its no-nonsense approach. There’s no premium tier to navigate, no features locked behind paywalls, and no aggressive upselling. The app is clean, intuitive, and reliable. Customer support is available 24/7 via in-app chat or phone, and response times are generally fast.
For international transfers, Starling uses its own transfer service with fees that vary by currency and amount. It’s not always cheaper than Wise, but for sending euros or US dollars, rates are competitive. If your primary need is fee-free travel spending with a reliable UK bank, Starling is an outstanding choice.
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Chase UK: Cashback Rewards and Travel-Friendly Features
Chase UK, the digital banking arm of JPMorgan Chase, launched in the UK in 2021 and has quickly become a compelling alternative to Wise or Revolut. As a fully licensed UK bank, Chase offers FSCS protection and brings the backing of one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
What sets Chase apart is its cashback programme. Chase UK offers 1% cashback on almost all everyday debit card spending, including purchases made abroad. This is a significant differentiator — neither Revolut (on its free plan), Wise, Monzo, nor Starling offer ongoing cashback on standard spending. The cashback is credited monthly and can be directed into a separate savings account where it earns interest, compounding the benefit.
For travel, Chase charges no fees on card spending abroad and uses the Mastercard exchange rate with no markup. Cash withdrawals abroad are also fee-free, though standard daily withdrawal limits apply. There are no weekend markups or monthly exchange limits, which immediately gives it an advantage over Revolut’s free plan.
Chase also offers a round-up feature that sweeps spare change into a savings account earning a competitive interest rate, as well as a dedicated savings account with flexible access. The app is well-designed, though some users note it has fewer budgeting and analytics features than Monzo or Starling.
The main drawback is that Chase UK doesn’t offer multi-currency accounts or international money transfers in the way Revolut and Wise do. If you need to hold foreign currencies or send money abroad regularly, you’ll still need a separate service. But for everyday spending — including travel — with the added bonus of cashback, Chase is a powerful contender.
Kroo: The New Challenger on the Block
Kroo is one of the newer entrants to the UK digital banking scene, having received its full banking licence in 2022. While it doesn’t yet have the feature set of Monzo or Starling, it’s worth considering as an alternative to Wise or Revolut, particularly if you value competitive savings rates and a socially conscious banking model.
As a fully licensed UK bank, Kroo offers FSCS protection up to £85,000. The Kroo current account comes with a debit card, instant spending notifications, and budgeting tools. Kroo has positioned itself around community and social connections, with features that let you split bills and track shared expenses with friends and groups.
For travel, Kroo offers fee-free card spending abroad with no exchange rate markup, using the Mastercard rate. This puts it on par with Monzo and Starling for overseas purchases. Cash withdrawals abroad are also fee-free, though standard daily limits apply. There are no premium tiers or subscription plans — everything is included in the free account.
Kroo’s savings accounts have been among the most competitive in the market, often offering interest rates that rival or beat traditional high street banks. This is a key selling point for savers who want a digital bank that pays meaningful interest on their deposits.
The limitations are clear: Kroo doesn’t offer multi-currency accounts, international money transfers, crypto trading, or investment features. The app is more basic than Revolut or Monzo, and the product ecosystem is still developing. But if you’re looking for a straightforward, fee-free UK bank account with good savings rates and no-nonsense travel spending, Kroo is a name to watch.
How to Choose the Right Alternative for Your Needs
Choosing the best alternative to Wise or Revolut depends on what you actually use these services for. Here’s a practical framework to help you decide.
If your primary need is international money transfers: Wise remains the gold standard for transparent, low-cost transfers at the mid-market rate. However, alternatives like Starling offer competitive transfer fees for euro and US dollar corridors, and Revolut’s paid plans can be cheaper for frequent transfers within allowance limits. For transfers to less common currencies, Wise is still hard to beat.
If your primary need is travel spending: Monzo, Starling, and Chase UK all offer fee-free card spending abroad with no exchange rate markup and no subscription required. Chase adds 1% cashback, making it the most rewarding option. Starling has the most generous fee-free ATM withdrawal policy abroad. Monzo strikes a balance with excellent budgeting tools and a £500 monthly fee-free withdrawal limit.
If your primary need is multi-currency holding: Revolut is still the leader here, with the ability to hold and exchange 30+ currencies. Wise also allows holding balances in multiple currencies. None of the UK digital banks currently match this capability — Starling offers euro and USD accounts, but with monthly fees and more limited functionality.
If you want FSCS protection: All the banks listed above (Monzo, Starling, Chase, Kroo) are fully licensed UK banks with FSCS protection. Wise and Revolut are e-money institutions that safeguard funds but don’t offer FSCS coverage. This matters if you keep significant balances in your account.
If you want an all-in-one financial app: Revolut’s ecosystem (banking, crypto, stocks, commodities, insurance) is the most comprehensive, but much of it requires a paid subscription. Monzo offers banking, savings, loans, and investments through partners. Consider whether you actually need all these features in one app, or whether a dedicated bank account plus a separate transfer service gives you better value.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Type | Fees | Best For | Rating | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monzo | UK Digital Bank | Free plan; fee-free spending abroad; 3% ATM fee after £500/30 days | Everyday banking + travel | 4.5/5 | FSCS protected, excellent budgeting tools |
| Starling Bank | UK Digital Bank | Free; no fees on spending or ATM withdrawals abroad | Fee-free travel simplicity | 4.5/5 | No subscription, 24/7 support, award-winning |
| Chase UK | UK Digital Bank | Free; fee-free spending abroad; 1% cashback on all spending | Cashback on travel spending | 4.5/5 | 1% cashback, backed by JPMorgan Chase |
| Revolut | E-Money / Fintech | Free plan with limits; paid plans from £4.99/mo | Multi-currency holding & exchange | 4/5 | 30+ currencies, crypto & stock trading |
| Wise | E-Money / Fintech | Low per-transfer fees; card fees after £200/mo withdrawals | International money transfers | 4.5/5 | Mid-market exchange rates, transparent fees |
Frequently asked questions
Is Wise better than Revolut for international transfers?
It depends on your needs. Wise generally offers more transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate on every transfer, making it better for one-off or irregular transfers. Revolut can be cheaper for frequent transfers within its free monthly exchange allowance, but charges fees above that limit and adds weekend markups on its free plan.
Are Monzo and Starling safe alternatives to Revolut?
Yes. Both Monzo and Starling are fully licensed UK banks, meaning your deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. Revolut is an e-money institution that safeguards funds but does not offer FSCS protection. This makes Monzo and Starling safer options for holding significant balances.
Which UK bank offers the best deal for spending abroad?
Chase UK offers the most rewarding deal with 1% cashback on all spending including abroad, plus no foreign transaction fees. Starling offers the simplest fee-free experience with no withdrawal limits or subscription tiers. Monzo is also excellent but charges a 3% fee on ATM withdrawals above £500 per 30 days.
Can I use these alternatives instead of Wise for sending money internationally?
You can, but with caveats. Monzo uses Wise’s infrastructure for international transfers, so fees are identical. Starling offers its own transfer service with competitive rates for euros and USD but may be more expensive for other currencies. Chase UK and Kroo do not currently offer international money transfers, so you’d need a separate service like Wise for that.
Does Revolut’s free plan still offer good value?
Revolut’s free plan remains useful for basic multi-currency exchange and card spending, but it now includes a monthly exchange limit (typically £1,000), weekend markup fees of 1%, and restricted access to crypto and stock trading. If you travel frequently or exchange larger amounts, a paid plan or a fee-free UK bank may offer better value.
What is the cheapest way to send money abroad from the UK?
Wise is consistently among the cheapest options for international transfers, offering the mid-market exchange rate with clearly displayed fees. Revolut can be cheaper for transfers within your monthly allowance on paid plans. For euro and USD transfers, Starling’s own transfer service is also competitive. Always compare the total cost (fees plus exchange rate margin) before sending.
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