Coinbase vs Revolut

Coinbase versus Revolut: what each one really costs

Picking Coinbase or Revolut comes down to more than the brand name. The real question is how much you actually keep once every fee and the exchange rate are added up. That is exactly what this page measures.

In our database, Coinbase falls into the crypto exchange group and works with Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, while Revolut is filed under broker and handles Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Precious metals. This already says something about which jobs each one is built for.

Under the calculator and the scenario table we explain our method, the trade-offs that do not show up in a single number, and which one fits which situation. Since we work with live rates, the outcome can shift during the day.

The short answer: Revolut comes out cheaper

For 4 out of 4 conversions we can test on both sides, Revolut delivered the better result once fees and exchange rate were counted. If cost is your main concern, start with Revolut.

Still, Coinbase is not out of the race. The scenario table above shows where Coinbase comes out ahead. If your currency pair and amount are among them, the overall tally matters a lot less.

There is more to it than price. You may already have a verified account with Coinbase, which saves a sign-up. A few cents on a small transfer rarely beat that kind of convenience.

Two kinds of service, partly overlapping

This comparison puts two different kinds of services side by side: crypto exchange versus broker. Their offers overlap only in part. Only the shared conversions appear in our scenarios, so the rest of each offer stays out of view.

Money apps are designed around currencies, cards and transfers to bank accounts. A crypto exchange revolves around digital assets; regular currencies are mostly the on-ramp and off-ramp. That difference matters more than a few cents on one conversion.

If you only want to change currency or send money abroad, the money service is usually the more natural choice. If crypto is the goal, the exchange is the logical place, even if it also handles some currency transfers.

Is your money safe?

Cheap is only good if your money is in safe hands. A legitimate provider is licensed or registered with a financial regulator. You can usually find the licence details in the footer or legal section of the provider’s website.

An important question is safeguarding: customer funds should be kept separate from the company’s own money, so they are protected if the company runs into trouble. Safeguarding is not the same as a deposit guarantee, so a transfer app is no replacement for a savings account.

For crypto exchanges the questions are similar, but not the same: registration with a regulator, how customer assets are stored and whether you can withdraw to your own wallet. And on any platform: turn on 2FA and never reuse passwords.

Does the amount matter?

The cheapest choice for a small amount is not always the cheapest for a large one. Fixed fees hit small transfers hardest; percentage margins hit large ones hardest. So look at the row closest to the amount you plan to convert.

Some providers lower their percentage above certain thresholds, which is not always visible in our sample amounts. With Coinbase or Revolut, check the current terms before you move a significant sum.

Coinbase or Revolut: which fits your situation?

For travel spending, look at card fees, cash withdrawal limits and weekend surcharges, not just the transfer price. Holding a balance in the local currency avoids converting at every purchase.

If you send money abroad regularly, compare the received amount for your usual sum. Large one-off sums deserve a separate check: limits, extra verification and the margin all weigh more.

For buying digital assets, you need a platform that actually supports crypto, and you should compare spreads and withdrawal costs. For business payments, check whether a business account is available and what it costs. We compare costs only; this is not investment advice.

Why not use both?

You do not have to pick just one. Plenty of users keep an account with both and choose per transfer. Opening an account is usually free, though identity verification can take a while.

Each time you plan a bigger conversion, check the calculator on this page, because the cheapest option can change with the rate and the amount. It takes a minute and can save real money.

Before you close an account, empty the balance, cancel any recurring payments and save your statements, as you may need them later for your tax return.

Where the real cost hides

A low or zero fee looks attractive, but it says little about the total cost. If the exchange rate you get is worse than the mid-market rate, you pay through the rate instead. A margin of a fraction of a percent sounds small, but it grows with every amount you convert.

That is why we always look at the total: fee plus margin. Coinbase and Revolut may structure their pricing differently, one with a visible fee and a tight rate, the other with no fee and a wider spread. Only the amount that arrives tells you who is really cheaper.

Also look beyond the conversion: card payment fees, surcharges for weekends or rare currencies, and costs on the receiving side. We include what is published, but it pays to double-check before a large transaction.

Delivery time and ease of use

The fastest delivery we have on record for Coinbase is Instant; for Revolut it is Instant. That is the quickest route, not the usual one for every transfer. Bank holidays, verification checks and the receiving bank can all add time.

How you fund a transfer makes a big difference. A card payment or instant bank transfer is usually quicker than a regular bank transfer, but it can cost more. When there is no rush, a slower option can save you money.

Then there is everyday use: how easy the app is, whether you can track a transfer and how fast support responds. Try the app before you move a large amount.

Our method

Every provider earns money in two ways: a fee and an exchange-rate margin. As a benchmark we use the live mid-market rate, the rate banks and large traders use among themselves. Fee plus margin gives the real cost.

We test a range of sample amounts, small, medium and large, since a fixed fee hurts more on small sums. Rates refresh every 30 minutes and fees come from the providers’ published fee schedules. Promotions, account tiers and personal discounts are not always included, so your own offer may differ.

We are not owned by any provider. Some links on the site are affiliate links, but they never change the order or the outcome. The cheaper option is shown as cheaper, full stop.