Kraken vs Revolut

Kraken or Revolut: a side-by-side cost check

Deciding between Kraken and Revolut is less obvious than it looks. What matters is how much of your money arrives once both the visible fee and the hidden margin are added up. This page puts a number on that.

On our site, Kraken sits in the crypto exchange category and handles Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, while Revolut belongs to broker and covers Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Precious metals. This already says quite a lot 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 who should pick which. Since we work with live rates, the outcome can shift during the day.

Where the real cost hides

“No fees” is one of the most common claims in money transfer, and one of the most misleading. Often the cost simply moves into the exchange rate, where it is harder to spot. On a large amount, a small margin can add up to more than a fixed fee would.

That is why we always look at the total: fee plus margin. Two providers can arrive at a similar price by very different routes. The amount received is the honest benchmark.

Other costs can matter too: card payment fees, surcharges for weekends or rare currencies, and costs on the receiving side. Some of these sit outside what we can measure, so check the provider’s fee page before a big transfer.

Where Kraken and Revolut overlap, and where they do not

This is a comparison across categories: crypto exchange versus broker. Their offers overlap only in part. We can only compare the conversions both of them offer.

A money service focuses on paying, spending and sending in regular currencies. A crypto exchange is built for buying, selling and storing digital assets, with regular money as the way in and out. So the cheaper side in the table is only part of the picture.

When crypto is not on your list, the service built for transfers tends to fit better. For crypto, look at the exchange first and treat its currency features as a bonus.

Why not use both?

You do not have to pick just one. Plenty of users keep an account with both and choose per transfer. Expect to verify your identity with each provider separately.

For anything above everyday amounts, compare live quotes here first, as the result depends on the moment and the sum. It is a quick check that pays off.

When you move away from one provider, empty the balance, cancel any recurring payments and keep a copy of your transaction history.

Our method

There are two parts to the price of any conversion: a visible fee and a margin hidden in the exchange rate. 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. Exchange rates are refreshed every 30 minutes; fees are taken from the published fee schedules. Special offers or paid plans can change the price you actually pay.

This comparison is independent. Affiliate links help pay for the site, but the ranking is based on cost alone. The cheaper option is shown as cheaper, full stop.

Which one is cheaper?

In 4 of 4 conversions we can test on both sides, Kraken came out cheaper at live rates. That gives Kraken the edge for most typical transfers.

Still, Revolut is not out of the race. Check the table above to see the routes where Revolut does better, and if your own transfer matches one of those rows, the overall tally matters a lot less.

Cost is one thing, not everything. Speed, limits and the way you pay in can tip the balance toward Revolut. A few cents on a small transfer rarely beat that kind of convenience.

Regulation and safety

Before you look at cost, check who is looking after your money. A legitimate provider is licensed or registered with a financial regulator. The supervisor’s public register lets you check this yourself.

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. That is a different kind of protection from a bank deposit guarantee scheme.

With crypto platforms, look a little further: ask about registration, custody and withdrawal options. In all cases, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) from day one.

Does the amount matter?

The cheapest choice for a small amount is not always the cheapest for a large one. A fixed fee weighs heavily on a small transfer but barely registers on a large one. That is why the scenario table shows several amounts, not just one.

For large amounts, it can pay to ask about volume pricing, which is not always visible in our sample amounts. Before a big transfer with Kraken or Revolut, read the current pricing on their site.

Who should pick Kraken and who Revolut?

When you travel, compare what a card payment in a foreign currency costs at each. Holding a balance in the local currency avoids converting at every purchase.

To send money to a bank account abroad, look at the amount received and how fast it arrives. Large one-off sums deserve a separate check: limits, extra verification and the margin all weigh more.

When buying crypto, only a provider that handles crypto will do, and spreads and withdrawal fees matter most. Businesses should look at business accounts and batch payments, which not every provider offers. Nothing here is investment advice.

Speed and convenience

Kraken lists its quickest option as Instant, while Revolut lists Instant. Treat these as the best case rather than a promise. Weekends, first-time checks and the recipient’s bank can slow things down.

The payment method matters as much as the provider. 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.

Convenience counts too: clear status updates and an app you like save time and stress. Which app feels easier is a matter of taste.