OKX vs Revolut

OKX vs Revolut: what each one really costs

Picking OKX or Revolut is less obvious than it looks. The useful question is how much ends up on the other side once the fee and the rate markup are added up. That is exactly what this page measures.

In our database, OKX sits in the crypto exchange group and covers Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, while Revolut sits in broker with support for Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Precious metals. Those two labels say a fair bit about when one can stand in for the other.

Below the calculator you can read our method, where each provider tends to do well and which one fits which situation. Rates on this page are live, so the outcome can shift during the day.

Which one suits you?

If you mainly spend abroad on holiday, look at card fees, cash withdrawal limits and weekend surcharges, not just the transfer price. Whichever of the two offers a usable card for your destination has a head start.

To send money to a bank account abroad, the total cost per transfer and the delivery time are what count. For large amounts, such as a house deposit or tuition, even a small margin difference adds up, and limits and verification matter as well.

For buying digital assets, check that crypto is supported at all, then compare spreads and withdrawal fees. Businesses should look at business accounts and batch payments, which not every provider offers. Nothing here is investment advice.

Why the amount can change the winner

Who comes out ahead can flip as the amount grows. A fixed fee weighs heavily on a small transfer but barely registers on a large one. So look at the row closest to the amount you plan to convert.

For large amounts, it can pay to ask about volume pricing, something our standard scenarios do not always capture. With OKX or Revolut, check the current terms before you move a significant sum.

Which one is cheaper?

Across 4 of the 4 comparisons that both providers offer, OKX came out cheaper once fees and exchange rate were counted. That gives OKX the edge for most typical transfers.

That does not make Revolut the wrong choice. Check the table above to see where Revolut comes out ahead. If your currency pair and amount are among them, that single row counts more than the total score.

Cost is one thing, not everything. Revolut may support a payment method, a currency or a delivery option you need. A few cents on a small transfer rarely beat that kind of convenience.

Is your money safe?

Price matters, but so does knowing your money is handled properly. Regulated financial services are licensed or registered with a supervisor in the countries where they operate. The supervisor’s public register lets you check this yourself.

For money services, the key word is safeguarding: your balance should be ring-fenced from the business’s own accounts. 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.

A money service and a crypto exchange

This is a comparison across categories: crypto exchange and broker. There is some overlap, but not much. Only the shared conversions appear in our scenarios, so the rest of each offer stays out of view.

A money service is built for sending and spending currencies, often to bank accounts abroad. A crypto exchange revolves around digital assets; regular currencies are mostly the on-ramp and off-ramp. 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. If crypto is the goal, the exchange is the logical place, even if it also handles some currency transfers.

How fast the money arrives

The fastest delivery we have on record for OKX is Instant; for Revolut it is Instant. That is the quickest route, not the usual one for every transfer. Weekends, first-time checks and the recipient’s bank can slow things down.

How you fund a transfer makes a big difference. Paying by card tends to be faster, and sometimes more expensive, than a standard bank transfer. Only pay for speed when you actually need it.

Then there is everyday use: clear status updates and an app you like save time and stress. Try the app before you move a large amount.

Switching between OKX and Revolut

You do not have to pick just one. A second account gives you a backup and an easy price check. Signing up rarely costs anything, but verification is not always instant.

Each time you plan a bigger conversion, compare live quotes here first, as the result depends on the moment and the sum. That small habit can save more than any loyalty bonus.

When you move away from one provider, withdraw or spend your remaining balance first and download your statements for your records.

Fees vs exchange-rate margin

Plenty of services advertise a zero fee. 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.

So we never compare fees on their own. OKX 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. The amount received is the honest benchmark.

Also look beyond the conversion: withdrawal and network fees, card costs and fees at intermediary banks. Not all of these show up in our scenarios, so read the fee page before you send a large amount.

How the numbers are worked out

There are two parts to the price of any conversion: 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. Fee plus margin gives the real cost.

Each conversion is checked with several sample amounts since a fixed fee hurts more on small sums. Exchange rates are refreshed every 30 minutes; fees are taken from the 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. We may earn a commission through some links; that never affects which provider comes out cheaper. The cheaper option is shown as cheaper, full stop.