N26 vs Revolut [Full comparison 2024] - Exiap (2024)

Need an account to use overseas? If you’re looking for a way to hold and spend euros easily you might have come across both N26 and Revolut. Unfortunately, N26 now has limited availability and isn’t an option for US based customers. However, if you’re eligible you’ll still want to compare N26 against your alternatives, like Revolut.

This guide covers all you need to know about N26 vs Revolut – including a full feature side by side comparison.

Summary: N26 previously operated in the US, but closed its accounts for US customers in 2022. Accounts are now available in select European countries only, and subject to demand – at the time of writing N26 is only offering new accounts to customers in 4 countries. However, if you’re eligible, N26 can be a good low cost option for EUR holding and payments.

If not – or if you want a more flexible account which can handle extra currencies with full feature access in the US – take a look at Revolut.

N26 vs Revolut: side by side

As we’ve mentioned, N26 isn’t offered to US based customers any more, since the closure of their US operation in 2022. Where we’re discussing costs for N26 we’ll use their EU (euro) fee schedule for reference, you can get more details about account availability, features and fees for your location, online.

So, to summarize:

• Revolut accounts can hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and come with linked cards. N26 Eurozone accounts are designed to hold EUR only, and all accounts come with linked virtual or physical cards
• Revolut and N26 both offer no-fee and fee-paid account options
• Revolut and N26 both have saving and budgeting tools although availability and features may vary based on customer location
• Revolut accounts come with investment options including stock trading, N26 has some crypto trading features
• Revolut has accounts for kids, N26 accounts are usually only available for those over 18
• Both providers are fully regulated

Whether N26 or Revolut is best for you may come down to where in the world you are. Revolut serves customers in the US and a broad selection of other countries. N26 has only got account availability for a limited number of countries – so do check your options before you apply.

The important bits

Rates: N26 customers sending international transfers get the mid-market exchange rate. Revolut customers can get some currency exchange with the mid-market rate, although this may be capped for some account tiers

Fees: Revolut and N26 both have either no-fee or fee paying accounts depending on the features you need

Speed: N26 transfers can arrive in a few minutes, or take up to a day or so. Revolut deposits to debit cards can take just 30 minutes – but transfers to bank accounts may take a few days

Service: Both providers offer multilingual service in a range of languages, online, in-app and by phone.

Safety: Both providers are fully licensed and regulated

Reviews: Revout gets a 4.3 out of 5 star Excellent rating, from 128,000+ reviews, while N26 has a 3.2 out of 5 star Average rating, from 26,000+ reviews

Pros and cons

N26 vs Revolut: The verdict

N26 is a popular European digital bank which has expanded its operations to the US, UK and other markets. However, it changed focus in 2022, and no longer offers services to US customers. That may rule out N26 as an option for you. However, if you’re based in one of the supported countries in the EU, you could choose N26 as a simple way to hold and spend euros with low fees and a selection of account services.

If you’re based in the US, or if you’ll be holding, exchanging and spending a broader selection of currencies you’ll probably find that Revolut – or an alternative digital multi-currency account – suits your needs better.

About N26 and Revolut

N26 is a German digital bank which was launched in 2013. It offers services in Europe, but has some limits on the number of new accounts it can offer at any one time. N26 used to serve the US but pulled out of this market in 2022.

N26 accounts hold euros only, but do offer payments and card spending globally.

Revolut has been around since 2015, and offers personal and business accounts, cards and services in the US. All accounts have linked physical and virtual cards for payment and withdrawals, stock trading and savings features, associated kids accounts and more.

Hold and exchange 25+ currencies with a personal Revolut account, and send payments all over the world.

Read our Revolut Review and Revolut Business review to learn more.

How do they work?

You’ll need to download the Revolut or N26 app, or visit their desktop sites to register an account. Usually the account opening process is pretty painless, and just involves entering your personal and contact information and uploading an image of an ID document. However, exactly what you’re required to do will vary a bit based on where in the world you are.

N26 vs Revolut Fees

N26 and Revolut both offer varied plan options based on how you’ll use their services. Both providers have an account which has no monthly fees, which comes with fewer features. Or you can upgrade to a paying account tier, so there’s a monthly charge but you get a higher level of no-fee transactions, or a broader range of available services. The different price points on offer are as follows:

N26:

• Standard account – no fee
• Smart account – 4.90 EUR/month
• You account – 9.90 EUR/month
• Metal account – 16.90 EUR/month

Revolut:

• Standard account – no fee
• Premium account – 9.99 USD/month
• Metal account – 16.99 USD/month

It’s worth noting that the fees and available plans for N26 accounts may vary based on which country you’re based in. Check all the details before you apply.

N26 vs Revolut: which is cheaper?

So how about sending international payments? Both Revolut and N26 have different ways of charging for international transfers.

Revolut accounts all come with some no-feecurrency exchange and no-fee international transfers. But once you’ve exceeded your plan’s limits you’ll pay fair usage fees. Here’s how that looks in practise:

N26 offers international transfers powered by Wise. This means you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate for your full transfer value with no cap, with low fees which vary depending on the destination and transfer amount. Wise payments can cost as little as 0.41% to send.

N26 vs Revolut: which is faster?

N26 payments are processed by Wise. 50% of Wise payments arrive instantly, and 90% are in the destination account in 24 hours.

Revolut payments to a debit card can arrive in 30 minutes – bank transfers may take 3 to 5 days.

Safety

N26 is a fully licensed bank in Europe. This means it can offer its services throughout the EU and EEA safely.

Revolut offers services in the US through partners like Community Federal Savings Bank. Revolut also holds a European banking license, and is licensed to operate in a broad range of other countries and regions around the world.

Read Is Revolut safe? to learn more.

Ease of use

• Creating an account: Both providers allow you to set up an account online or in-app
• Making a transfer: Pay for your transfer using a bank transfer or card with both N26 and Revolut
• Ways to send money: Revolut payments are deposited direct to bank accounts or debit cards for convenience, N26 payments are usually sent to bank accounts
• Languages: Revolut has support in a selection of global languages, while N26 offers services in English and the European languages of the countries it serves
• Minimum & maximum amounts: Revolut payments are usually unlimited – N26 transfers may have limits based on the destination, but are also usually pretty high

Supported currencies

N26 accounts are intended to hold the currency of the country the user is based in – euros for example. Revolut accounts can hold and exchange 25+ currencies.

Revolut vs N26 conclusion: Which is better?

Both Revolut and N26 have some handy services – but which is best for you is likely to depend on where in the world you are. N26 no longer offers services in the US, so if you’re based here you’ll probably prefer Revolut.

In terms of services, Revolut has a broader range of features including multi-currency functionality. N26 can be a strong option if you’re in a country that’s served and you’re looking for easy ways to hold and spend euros – but if you want something more flexible, check out Revolut instead.

Revolut vs N26 FAQs

Is N26 or Revolut cheaper?

Both N26 and Revolut have a choice of no-fee and fee paying account tiers, depending on your needs. Transaction fees also apply based on how you use your account.

Is N26 or Revolut faster?

N26 payments are processed by Wise. 50% of Wise payments arrive instantly, and 90% are in the destination account in 24 hours. Revolut payments to a debit card are also fast and can arrive in 30 minutes – bank transfers may take 3 to 5 days.

How many currencies do N26 and Revolut support?

N26 accounts are designed to hold the currency of the local country primarily – so euros in the Eurozone. Revolut accounts can hold and exchange 25+ currencies.