Instarem vs Revolut

Instarem or Revolut

Choosing between Instarem and Revolut comes down to more than the brand name. What matters is how much ends up on the other side once every fee and the exchange rate are counted. That is exactly what this page measures.

In our comparison, Instarem sits in the money transfer service group and covers Currencies, while Revolut sits in broker and handles Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Precious metals. This already says quite a lot about when one can stand in for the other.

Below the calculator you can read how we work out the cost, where each provider tends to do well and how to combine the two. Since we work with live rates, today’s result is not set in stone.

Can you use Instarem and Revolut together?

Using two providers side by side is common. It is perfectly normal to keep Instarem for one task and Revolut for another. Signing up rarely costs anything, but verification is not always instant.

For anything above everyday amounts, check the calculator on this page, since rates move and the cheaper side can flip. It is a quick check that pays off.

If you switch, make sure no balance or scheduled transfer is left behind and download your statements for your records.

Who should pick Instarem and who Revolut?

For travel spending, compare what a card payment in a foreign currency costs at each. Whichever of the two offers a usable card for your destination has a head start.

For transfers to family or bills abroad, compare the received amount for your usual sum. For large amounts, such as a house deposit or tuition, even a small margin difference adds up, and limits and verification matter as well.

If you want to buy crypto, you need a platform that actually supports crypto, and you should compare spreads and withdrawal costs. Business users often need other features, such as multiple users and bulk payments. Nothing here is investment advice.

Does the amount matter?

The size of the amount can change the winner. 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 Instarem or Revolut, check the current terms before you move a significant sum.

The fee is only half the story

Plenty of services advertise a zero fee. If the exchange rate you get is worse than the mid-market rate, you pay through the rate instead. The bigger the amount, the more that margin hurts.

That is why we always look at the total: fee plus margin. Two providers can arrive at a similar price by very different routes. What counts is what lands in the account at the end.

Watch for extra costs outside the conversion itself: withdrawal and network fees, card costs and fees at intermediary banks. Some of these sit outside what we can measure, so check the provider’s fee page before a big transfer.

How the numbers are worked out

The cost of a conversion has two parts: the fee you see and the markup on the rate that you often do not. Our yardstick is the mid-market rate: the midpoint between what the market bids and asks. The gap is the margin, and we add it to the fee.

We test a range of sample amounts, small, medium and large, so the effect of fixed fees and percentages becomes visible. Rates refresh every 30 minutes and fees come from the providers’ published fee schedules. Special offers or paid plans can change the price you actually pay.

This comparison is independent. Some links on the site are affiliate links, but they never change the order or the outcome. If a provider we earn nothing from is cheaper, it still comes out on top.

Our verdict

Across 7 of the 7 scenarios that Instarem and Revolut both support, Revolut came out cheaper once fees and exchange rate were counted. That gives Revolut the edge for most typical transfers.

Still, Instarem is not out of the race. The scenario table above shows where Instarem 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. Instarem may support a payment method, a currency or a delivery option you need. On a modest amount, a small price gap is often worth less than that convenience.

Speed and convenience

Fastest delivery: 1–2 business days at Instarem and Instant at Revolut. Treat these as the best case rather than a promise. Weekends, first-time checks and the recipient’s bank can slow things down.

Speed often depends on how you pay. Faster funding options can come with a higher fee, so check the total in the calculator. 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. Which app feels easier is a matter of taste.

Regulation and safety

Price matters, but so does knowing your money is handled properly. Look for a licence or registration with a financial regulator in your country or region. The supervisor’s public register lets you check this yourself.

An important question is safeguarding: your balance should be held apart from the firm’s own money. Note that safeguarding differs from a bank deposit guarantee.

For crypto exchanges the questions are similar, but not the same: check their registration, how they store customer assets and whether withdrawals to your own wallet are possible. Whichever you choose, switch on two-factor authentication and use a unique password.