Which One is Better for You

This Revolut vs Monzo information is designed for newcomers who desire a clear, easy comparability of the 2 hottest digital banks within the UK.

If in case you have been typing Revolut vs Monzo which one is best” into Google, belief me, you aren’t alone.

I keep in mind sitting on my couch one night, attempting to resolve whether or not I ought to open a Revolut account, a Monzo account, or each. Everybody on-line appeared to have an opinion, however nobody was explaining it in a easy, newbie pleasant approach.

So let me break down Revolut vs Monzo in plain English with no jargon and no overwhelm.

Each Revolut and Monzo are digital banking apps that allow you to handle your cash out of your telephone. No bodily branches. No lengthy queues. Simply an app and a debit card.

However relating to Revolut vs Monzo, they don’t seem to be the identical.

Monzo is a completely licensed UK financial institution.
Revolut began as a fintech firm and now has a UK banking licence.

Folks often evaluate Revolut vs Monzo as a result of they wish to know:

Is my cash protected
Which one is cheaper
Which is best for journey
Can I take advantage of it as my essential financial institution
Which is best for budgeting

On this weblog put up, I’m going to reply all of that clearly so you may make the fitting alternative on your life and monetary targets.

Right here is the reality most individuals won’t inform you: they’re constructed for barely totally different functions.

From my expertise:

I personally love Monzo for on a regular basis budgeting and managing payments.
I want Revolut when I’m travelling or sending cash overseas.

And sure, I take advantage of each.

However relying in your wants, you could solely want one. So as an alternative of guessing, allow us to break this down correctly.

Earlier than we evaluate them facet by facet, allow us to begin with the fundamentals.

Revolut vs Monzo: Revolut at a Look

Once I first downloaded Revolut, I believed it was simply one other financial institution app. I shortly realised it’s extra like a versatile cash instrument, particularly for individuals who journey or take care of foreign exchange.

Revolut launched in 2015 to make spending and sending cash throughout nations simpler and cheaper.

Within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, Revolut is thought for:

Holding a number of currencies in a single account
Aggressive alternate charges
Straightforward worldwide transfers
Crypto and inventory investing
Paid plans with journey perks

Revolut now has a UK banking licence, however the stage of safety is dependent upon the kind of account you may have. That is one thing many newcomers overlook.

One factor I personally love about Revolut is how simple it’s to change between currencies. In the event you journey to Africa, Europe, or the USA, you possibly can maintain totally different currencies in the identical app and alternate cash earlier than you journey.

This helps you keep away from these horrible airport charges.

Nonetheless, Revolut does have limits. On the free plan, you solely get a certain quantity of free forex alternate every month. After that, charges can apply. There will also be additional costs on weekends when markets are closed.

In the event you journey usually or ship cash overseas, Revolut will be extremely highly effective.

However if you happen to primarily need assist budgeting your wage and paying UK payments, that is the place the Revolut vs Monzo dialog turns into fascinating.

Now that we perceive Revolut, allow us to take a look at what makes Monzo totally different.

Revolut vs Monzo: What Makes Monzo Totally different

When folks evaluate Revolut vs Monzo, many are actually asking one easy query: which one feels extra like an actual financial institution.

The primary time I used Monzo, it felt acquainted however trendy. It really works like a standard checking account, however the whole lot is finished via your telephone. No branches. No paperwork. Simply easy banking.

Monzo is a fully licensed UK bank. Meaning your cash is protected by the Monetary Companies Compensation Scheme as much as £120,000.

This is likely one of the greatest variations within the Revolut vs Monzo dialogue.

With Monzo you possibly can:

Get your wage paid instantly into your account
Arrange direct debits for payments
Use overdrafts if authorised
Create financial savings pots
Monitor your spending routinely

Monzo was constructed with budgeting in thoughts. It reveals you the place your cash goes in easy classes like groceries, transport, and consuming out.

In the event you’re residing on a decent price range, ensure you learn my full information on how to budget on a low income, the place I break down easy steps that work.

One factor I personally love within the Revolut vs Monzo comparability is Monzo Pots.

You possibly can create separate areas inside your account for issues like:

Emergency fund
Christmas financial savings
Journey
College charges
Automobile upkeep

This makes saving really feel organised and fewer traumatic. If you’re somebody who struggles to maintain cash untouched, Pots can actually assist.

Monzo additionally presents overdrafts and loans if authorised. That’s one thing Revolut doesn’t provide in the identical conventional approach.

To be truthful, Revolut additionally presents financial savings options. They name them Saving Vaults. You possibly can spherical up spare change and save routinely, similar to Monzo.

Revolut additionally presents curiosity incomes financial savings accounts in partnership with banks, relying in your plan.

The important thing distinction is that this:

Monzo feels extra centered on on a regular basis UK budgeting and structured saving. Revolut feels extra versatile for forex alternate and international spending, whereas nonetheless providing financial savings instruments.

Each apps assist you to separate your cash. They simply current it barely in another way. Now that we perceive what each apps provide, allow us to put Revolut vs Monzo facet by facet.

Revolut vs Monzo: Facet by Facet Comparability

Typically you don’t want lengthy explanations. You simply want clear information in a single place.

In order for you the short reply within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, this desk will make it easier to see the primary variations immediately.

Revolut vs Monzo: What are the variations

Characteristic	Revolut	Monzo
UK Banking Licence	Sure	Sure
FSCS Safety	Sure, rolling out to UK clients	Sure, as much as £120,000
Finest For	Journey and a number of currencies	On a regular basis UK banking and budgeting
Financial savings Pots	Sure, known as Vaults	Sure, known as Pots
Curiosity on Financial savings	Obtainable relying on plan	Obtainable on financial savings accounts
Overdraft	No conventional overdraft	Sure, if authorised
Overseas Foreign money	Maintain and alternate a number of currencies	Restricted in comparison with Revolut
Crypto Investing	Sure	No
Budgeting Instruments	Primary spending insights	Superior computerized categorisation
Paid Plans	Premium, Metallic, Extremely	Extras, Perks, Max

Here’s what I inform my purchasers after they ask me about Revolut vs Monzo.

In case your essential objective is budgeting your wage, paying payments, and constructing an emergency fund, Monzo feels easy and structured.

In case your objective is travelling, sending cash overseas, or holding totally different currencies, Revolut feels extra highly effective.

However right here is one thing necessary many individuals overlook: You should not have to decide on just one.

I personally use Monzo for on a regular basis spending and budgeting. I take advantage of Revolut after I journey or ship cash internationally.

That mixture works superbly for me.

Now which you can clearly see the variations, allow us to take a look at one of many greatest considerations folks have: security.

Revolut vs Monzo: Is Revolut or Monzo Safer

When folks kind Revolut vs Monzo into Google, what they actually wish to know is that this: is my cash really protected.

I fully perceive this worry. We’re not speaking about just a few kilos. We’re speaking about salaries, financial savings, and emergency funds.

Allow us to break this down clearly and calmly. Each Revolut and Monzo now have UK banking licences.

Monzo has been a completely licensed UK financial institution for years. Your cash is protected below the Monetary Companies Compensation Scheme, usually known as FSCS. Meaning if the financial institution fails, your cash is protected as much as £120,000.

Revolut additionally now has a UK banking licence. This implies UK clients are being moved to accounts protected by FSCS as nicely.

Previously, one of many greatest considerations within the Revolut vs Monzo debate was that Revolut used safeguarding as an alternative of full financial institution safety. That’s now altering within the UK.

So immediately, each apps provide regulated safety. Now allow us to discuss on a regular basis safety, as a result of that is the place folks get nervous.

Each apps provide:

Instantaneous card freezing within the app
Actual time spending notifications
Biometric login
Fraud monitoring methods

Personally, I really really feel safer utilizing digital banks generally as a result of I get notified instantly when cash leaves my account. With conventional banks, you won’t discover fraud till you test your assertion days later.

Right here is a vital reminder: No financial institution is resistant to scams.

Your security additionally is dependent upon:

Not sharing one-time passcodes
Not clicking suspicious hyperlinks
Double checking payee particulars
Utilizing robust passwords

So, relating to security within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, each are regulated and safe. The important thing distinction isn’t security. It’s options and utilization.

Now allow us to discuss one thing that may quietly value you cash: charges.

Revolut vs Monzo: Charges Defined Merely

In the event you ignore charges within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, you can find yourself paying for stuff you didn’t even realise had costs.

Once I first began evaluating Revolut vs Monzo, I assumed each have been fully free. That’s partly true, however not solely.

Each Revolut and Monzo provide free customary accounts. Meaning:

No month-to-month payment on the fundamental plan
Free UK spending
Free financial institution transfers

However charges can seem relying on how you utilize them.

Card Spending within the UK

For on a regular basis UK spending, each Revolut and Monzo are free to make use of. You possibly can faucet your card in outlets or pay on-line with out costs.

ATM Withdrawals

That is the place the Revolut vs Monzo comparability turns into necessary.

Revolut presents free ATM withdrawals as much as a month-to-month restrict on the usual plan. After that, charges apply.

Monzo additionally presents free ATM withdrawals within the UK. There could also be limits for worldwide withdrawals.

In the event you usually withdraw money, this issues.

Spending Overseas

This is likely one of the greatest causes folks evaluate Revolut vs Monzo.

Revolut is powerful relating to overseas alternate. On weekdays, you usually get aggressive alternate charges. Nonetheless, there could also be additional costs on weekends and after month-to-month alternate limits.

Monzo permits payment free spending overseas on the free plan, however its overseas forex options are usually not as superior as Revolut.

In the event you journey usually, this part alone may make it easier to resolve.

Paid Plans

Each apps provide paid upgrades.

Revolut presents Premium, Metallic, and Extremely plans with advantages like journey insurance coverage, larger withdrawal limits, and airport lounge entry.

Monzo presents Extras, Perks, and Max with advantages like credit score rating insights and insurance coverage choices.

Right here is my sincere recommendation:

Don’t improve simply because it sounds fancy. Solely improve if the advantages prevent greater than the month-to-month payment.

One factor many newcomers overlook is weekend alternate charges on Revolut. As a result of forex markets shut on weekends, Revolut might add a small markup. If you’re travelling, this will add up.

Monzo doesn’t construction its charges in the identical approach for on a regular basis overseas spending.

One other tip:

At all times test your plan kind contained in the app. Many individuals overlook which tier they’re on and get confused when costs seem.

So, within the Revolut vs Monzo payment comparability, neither is secretly costly. It merely is dependent upon how you utilize them.

Now allow us to take a look at one of many greatest causes folks search Revolut vs Monzo within the first place: journey.

Revolut vs Monzo: Which Is Higher for Journey

In the event you journey even annually, the Revolut vs Monzo choice could make an actual distinction to how a lot you spend overseas.

I discovered this the onerous approach years in the past after I used a standard financial institution card abroad and got here again to shock charges. Since then, I’ve been rather more intentional about which card I take advantage of when travelling.

When evaluating Revolut vs Monzo for journey, there are three essential issues to take a look at:

Trade charges
ATM withdrawals overseas
Additional journey perks

Trade Charges

Revolut is well-known for providing aggressive alternate charges in the course of the week. You can too alternate cash contained in the app earlier than you journey and maintain totally different currencies. This may be useful if you happen to prefer to plan forward.

Nonetheless, Revolut might apply a small markup on weekends and after sure alternate limits on the free plan.

Monzo means that you can spend overseas with no overseas transaction charges on the free plan. You do not want to pre alternate cash. It converts routinely if you spend.

Within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, Revolut presents extra management over currencies. Monzo retains it easy.

ATM Withdrawals Overseas

Revolut presents free worldwide withdrawals as much as a restrict relying in your plan. After that, charges apply.

Monzo additionally permits free withdrawals overseas as much as sure limits. Prices might apply after that.

In the event you journey to nations the place money is frequent, this issues.

Right here is my private method:

Once I journey, I often use Revolut for forex alternate and spending. I hold Monzo as a backup card. I by no means journey with only one card.

This is a vital newbie tip:

At all times journey with two playing cards saved individually. If one will get blocked or misplaced, you aren’t stranded.

Journey Perks

Revolut paid plans might embrace journey insurance coverage and airport lounge entry.

Monzo paid plans might embrace insurance coverage bundles relying on the tier.

So, within the Revolut vs Monzo journey comparability, Revolut tends to be stronger for frequent travellers or individuals who handle a number of currencies. Monzo works very nicely for easy vacation spending.

Now allow us to take a look at one thing nearer to house: budgeting and on a regular basis cash administration.

Revolut vs Monzo: Budgeting and Saving Options

In case your essential objective is to lastly get organised along with your cash, the Revolut vs Monzo comparability turns into very fascinating right here.

Budgeting isn’t about restriction. It’s about readability. And the fitting banking app could make that a lot simpler.

Each Revolut and Monzo provide in-built budgeting instruments, however they really feel barely totally different.

Monzo Budgeting

Monzo routinely categorises your spending into teams like groceries, transport, consuming out, and payments.

You possibly can:

Set month-to-month spending targets
See visible breakdowns of the place your cash goes
Create Pots for financial savings targets
Schedule computerized transfers into Pots

Many newcomers love Monzo as a result of it feels structured. It nearly guides you.

Revolut Budgeting

Revolut additionally presents spending analytics and budgeting insights.

You possibly can:

Monitor spending classes
Set spending limits
Create Vaults to save cash
Spherical up spare grow to be financial savings

Revolut Vaults work equally to Monzo Pots. You possibly can separate cash for various targets.

One distinction is that Revolut additionally permits investing and crypto inside the identical app. So for some folks, it feels extra like an all-in-one cash platform.

Right here is my sincere expertise:

If you’re model new to budgeting and want construction, Monzo might really feel simpler. The automated classes and clear visuals make it very newbie pleasant.

If you’re snug managing your cash and wish extra flexibility, Revolut can really feel highly effective as a result of the whole lot is in a single place. Spending, saving, investing, and overseas forex.

Right here is an missed tip:

Whichever app you select, the actual magic occurs if you automate your financial savings.

Arrange:

Automated transfers on payday
Spherical up options
Separate financial savings areas

Don’t depend on willpower. Depend on methods.

Now allow us to reply an enormous sensible query: can both of them exchange your essential checking account.

Revolut vs Monzo: Can Revolut or Monzo Exchange Your Important Financial institution

If you’re critical about simplifying your funds, the actual query is that this: can I take advantage of one in all these as my essential checking account.

I keep in mind feeling nervous about transferring my wage right into a digital financial institution. It felt dangerous at first. However as soon as I understood how they labored, it grew to become a lot clearer.

Each Revolut and Monzo assist you to:

Obtain your wage
Arrange direct debits
Pay payments
Switch cash
Use standing orders

So technically, sure, each can operate as your essential account.

Now allow us to take a look at some variations.

Overdrafts

Monzo presents overdrafts if authorised. This may be useful if you happen to want quick time period flexibility.

Revolut doesn’t provide conventional overdrafts in the identical approach. If having an overdraft choice issues to you, that is necessary.

Money Deposits

Monzo means that you can deposit money at sure PayPoint areas within the UK, though charges might apply.

Revolut is extra restricted relating to depositing bodily money.

In the event you usually deal with money, that is one thing to contemplate.

Buyer Assist

Each banks provide in app chat assist.

Some customers say Monzo feels extra like a standard financial institution in the way it handles points. Others want Revolut’s international assist system.

Right here is my sincere take:

In order for you a completely structured UK financial institution expertise with overdrafts and powerful budgeting instruments, Monzo feels very full as a essential financial institution.

In the event you journey usually, take care of a number of currencies, or ship cash overseas usually, Revolut works nicely as a robust secondary account.

And right here is one thing necessary many newcomers overlook:

You should not have to shut your conventional financial institution instantly.

You possibly can check issues slowly.

Begin by:

Shifting a small quantity of spending cash
Utilizing it for groceries or on-line buying
Paying one invoice via it
Testing the financial savings options

Construct confidence earlier than going all in.

In my very own Revolut vs Monzo setup, I take advantage of Monzo for on a regular basis wage administration and Revolut for journey and worldwide funds. That mixture offers me flexibility and safety.

Now allow us to make it easier to resolve clearly which one is best for you.

Revolut vs Monzo: Who Ought to Select Which One

If you’re nonetheless not sure within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, this part will make it easier to resolve in below two minutes.

There isn’t a one measurement suits all reply.

Completely, Pius — right here is the seamless continuation of your lengthy type weblog put up, choosing up precisely the place it paused and sustaining your heat, empowering tone and polished circulate.

There isn’t a one measurement suits all reply. The correct alternative is dependent upon your way of life, habits, and monetary targets.

I’m going to make this very clear and really sensible.

Who Ought to Select Revolut

Revolut could be the higher choice for you if:

You journey usually or plan to journey
You spend or ship cash in several currencies
You want having spending, saving, and investing in a single app
You need robust alternate charges and worldwide transfers
You’re snug managing limits and plan varieties

Within the Revolut vs Monzo debate, Revolut shines when your cash life crosses borders.

In the event you journey usually or ship cash overseas, Revolut could make your life a lot simpler.

Who Ought to Select Monzo

Monzo could be the higher choice for you if:

You desire a clear and easy essential checking account
You receives a commission a wage within the UK
You need assist budgeting with out overthinking
You favor robust FSCS safety readability
You could want an overdraft choice

Within the Revolut vs Monzo dialogue, Monzo feels extra structured and supportive for on a regular basis cash administration. For a lot of ladies in my group, Monzo seems like a contemporary model of a standard financial institution.

Right here is the sincere fact I at all times share: You should not have to decide on only one. Many individuals, together with me, use each.

I take advantage of:

Monzo for wage, payments, and on a regular basis spending
Revolut for journey, overseas forex, and worldwide transfers

This provides me the most effective of each worlds.

And here’s a newbie tip many individuals overlook:

Utilizing two accounts can really make it easier to price range higher. You possibly can mentally separate cash for various functions with out opening dozens of accounts.

Revolut vs Monzo: What I Personally Do

After the whole lot I’ve shared on this Revolut vs Monzo comparability, right here is the sincere fact.

I take advantage of each.

And I genuinely wouldn’t wish to shut both one.

Relating to Revolut vs Monzo, my earnings goes straight into Monzo.

Why?

As a result of Monzo feels easy. Clear. Straightforward to grasp. It makes on a regular basis banking really feel calm as an alternative of overwhelming.

I take advantage of Monzo for:

Receiving my earnings
Paying payments
Groceries
On a regular basis spending
Mechanically sorting my cash utilizing Wage Sorter
Saving into clearly labelled Pots

My Pots are labelled in keeping with my monetary targets.

I’ve Pots for:

Christmas
Emergency fund
Giving
Groceries
Sinking funds
Travelling

Considered one of my favorite options inside Monzo is the yearly cash saving problem. It begins firstly of the 12 months and helps me steadily construct up financial savings for Christmas so December by no means feels traumatic.

The whole lot is automated. I don’t depend on willpower.

If you’re simply beginning your cash journey and wish one thing structured and newbie pleasant, I strongly suggest beginning with Monzo.

Now allow us to speak in regards to the different facet of the Revolut vs Monzo dialog.

I take advantage of Revolut in another way.

As a result of Revolut usually presents barely larger rates of interest on financial savings Vaults, I transfer cash that I don’t plan to spend instantly into Revolut. I let it develop there.

This small technique makes a distinction over time.

I additionally love that Revolut permits a number of forex accounts. It makes overseas spending really feel simple and fewer traumatic. Shopping for overseas forex contained in the app is cheaper and extra clear.

Once I journey or store internationally, I can simply use my card with out worrying about poor alternate charges.

Revolut feels extra superior. It’s excellent if you happen to:

Journey usually
Ship cash overseas
Need to maintain totally different currencies
Need entry to crypto and investing options

One factor I’ll point out actually:

Once I opened Revolut, I needed to pay for my bodily financial institution card. My Monzo card was free after I opened my account.

It’s a small element, however it’s good to know.

My Actual Christmas Financial savings Story Utilizing Monzo

Let me provide you with an actual instance of how Monzo modified Christmas for me.

In 2025, I made a decision to attempt the Monzo 1p saving problem inside my Pots.

If in case you have by no means heard of the 1p saving problem, it really works like this.

You begin by saving 1p on day one.
Then 2p on day two.
Then 3p on day three.

And you retain going all 12 months.

By the tip of the 12 months, you may have saved 667 kilos with out feeling the strain.

I automated it inside my Monzo Pots.

I didn’t give it some thought once more.

By December 2025, I had 667 kilos sitting in my Christmas Pot.

That additional financial savings meant:

• No panic spending
• No final minute stress
• No dipping into my emergency fund
• No January remorse

I had extra to spend. And I really loved Christmas as an alternative of worrying about cash.

It genuinely felt like a lifesaver.

That is why within the Revolut vs Monzo dialog, I say Monzo is highly effective for construction.

It helps you save deliberately for particular targets.

And since it’s automated, you don’t depend on motivation.

You depend on methods.

If you wish to attempt the identical setup, you possibly can open a Monzo account right here and create your first Christmas Pot immediately.

Open a Monzo account here.

Now think about combining that structured saving with larger curiosity progress inside Revolut Vaults. That’s the place my full Revolut vs Monzo technique actually works collectively.

Remaining Ideas: Revolut vs Monzo

In the event you got here right here questioning which one is best, I hope you now really feel clearer and extra assured.

Right here is the best approach to consider it:

Select Monzo if you would like a relaxed, structured, on a regular basis UK financial institution that helps you price range and keep organised. Open a Monzo account here.
Select Revolut if you happen to journey, take care of a number of currencies, or need an multi function cash app with additional options. Open a Revolut account here.
Select each if you would like the most effective of every world, like I do.

There isn’t a fallacious alternative. There’s solely the selection that matches your life.

And the truth that you’re studying this tells me one thing necessary:

You take management of your cash. You’re studying. You make knowledgeable selections. That’s highly effective.

You deserve monetary calm, confidence, and management and selecting the best instruments is a ravishing step in that path.

Revolut vs Monzo Often Requested Questions

Is Monzo higher than Revolut

It is dependent upon your wants. Monzo is best for on a regular basis UK banking and budgeting. Revolut is best for journey, overseas forex, and worldwide transfers.

Is Revolut an actual financial institution within the UK

Sure. Revolut now has a UK banking licence and is rolling out FSCS safety to UK clients.

Is my cash protected with Monzo

Sure. Monzo is a completely licensed UK financial institution and your cash is protected by FSCS as much as £120,000.

Which is cheaper, Revolut or Monzo

Each provide free accounts. Revolut might cost weekend alternate charges and has limits on free ATM withdrawals. Monzo is easier for on a regular basis UK spending.