Which card is better for traveling - N26 or Revolut? Should you get the N26 metal or Revolut metal plan? Are they worth it?
In this comparison between Revolut and N26 you will learn the differences between the plans that are offered by both digital banks in 2023.
I have been using both bank accounts for the past few years and I got a confession to make. I love them both. And I use both N26 and Revolut daily.
I have been traveling with these two bank cards around the globe, and tested their functionalities under various circumstances.
Depending on your situation, one card could be better than the other. In this comparison between Revolut and N26 you will find out, which digital bank account is a better fit for you.
Sign up with this button to get three months of Revolut premium.
If you are from the UK, you will be disappointed with N26 as the bank is no longer offering its services in the UK.
Which is the better fit for you? N26 vs Revolut
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Customers of N26 bank and Revolut benefit from the best currency exchange rates, fast and secure access to their accounts, quick money transfer, and low fees across all verticals.
This makes the N26 and Revolut one of the best debit cards for travelers, digital nomads, and people who prefer to pay fewer fees in exchange for 100% digital banking.
Both digital banks N26 and Revolut do not have a network of branches as opposed to typical banks, however, your money is protected by the European Deposit Guarantee up to €100.000 with both banks if you reside in the EU.
N26 and Revolut offer four different types of plans:
- Standard (No-fee)
- Smart / Plus
- You / Premium
- Metal
How do the plans compare?
You can certainly compare the fees, however, there are more factors you should know about before signing up with one of those companies.
I am using both N26 and Revolut cards while traveling the world; keep reading to find out which debit card is better for you.
Who can apply for the N26 and Revolut card?
Before we jump to the comparison between the N26 and Revolut cards you should first know if you can even apply for the card.
Both companies are slowly expanding globally, there are however still some limitations on where you need to be based to receive the card.
You can apply for the N26 card if you reside in one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
You can apply for the Revolut card if you reside in one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, USA, New Zealand, Chile, Canada and Australia
What happens when you lose your card?
Without further ado, let's look at the offer of the no-fee Mastercard from the N26 bank and Revolut.
N26 vs Revolut Standard (no-fee version)
N26 card
Revolut card
No-fee EUR withdrawals with N26 and Revolut: If you withdraw Euros in any country from any ATM you will not be charged any additional fees, unless there is an ATM transaction fee, charged from the ATM machine. This is valid for Revolut and for N26 outside of your "home country".
N26 (no-fee plan) withdrawal fees: If you withdraw your money in GBP, USD, AUD or any other currency you will be charged 1.7% when using the N26 Mastercard.
Revolut (no-fee) withdrawal fees: Revolut does not charge any fees up to € 200 withdrawals (or equivalent in any other currency) per month. If you need to withdraw more, Revolut will charge you 2%.
The debit cards from N26 and Revolut are fairly well positioned considering that most banks charge a fee of 2% - 5% on ATM withdrawal in foreign currencies.
If you don't travel frequently and use your bank account to only pay online, or with Google Pay and Apple Pay, the no-fee plans offered by Revolut and N26 will be enough.
Note that the N26 Standard plan doesn't include a physical card. If you want to get one, you have to pay €10.
N26 You and Revolut Premium come with a yearly fee and some premium features, that are suitable for those who travel long-term and look for more flexibility.
N26 You
Revolut Premium
| N26 You & Metal Insurance | Revolut Premium & Metal Insurance |
|---|---|
| Foreign Medical Expenses up to € 1 Mio (no deductible) | Foreign Medical Expenses up to € 10 Mio. (excess € 50) |
| Delayed Flights over 4 hours up to max. € 500 (€100 per hour) | Delayed Flights over 4 hours (up to max. € 500) |
| Luggage-Delay Insurance for delayed flights over 4 hours up to € 500 (if missing up to € 2.000) | Luggage-Delay Insurance for delayed flights over 4 hours (up to € 500) |
| Travel Cancelation up to € 10.000 (€25 deductible) | Emergency Dental Treatment abroad up to €500 (excess € 50) |
| Mobility coverage for vehicle rentals up to €20,000 (€50 deductible) | Lost of baggage & travel documents (up to €1,000) |
| Dental treatment (up to €250) | Trip cancellation or interruption (up to €5,000) |
As you can see, both N26 You and Revolut come with a comprehensive insurance package.
If you travel long-term, you will need proper travel insurance with better coverage.
Note that the N26 You travel insurance only applies for trips you booked, at least partially, with the N26 You card. If you haven’t booked the flight tickets and accommodation with the card, the travel insurance won’t activate and you will not be covered.
If you are interested in more details, you will need to contact the N26 bank the travel insurance policy isn't publically available.
Revolut Premium Travel Insurance: The insurance that comes with Revolut premium card will cover you regardless of you pay for the trip with the card or not.
Remember that both banks cover you only on trips for no more than 90 consecutive days.
If you plan to stay longer, you won’t be covered. Read more details about the Revolut travel insurance that comes with the premium card here.
The insurance offered with the N26 You and Revolut premium cards is covered by third-party companies such as CLARK (N26) and White Allianz (Revolut). You can submit insurance claims through the Revolut and N26 apps.
Both premium cards from N26 and Revolut are not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.
It is rather an extra safety layer but not something you should rely on. If you look for options to stay covered for medical expenses abroad, check the insurance from Safetywing.
Save money on cash withdrawals with N26 and Revolut Premium cards
For long-term travelers, the only real value that comes with the N26 You and Revolut premium card is the higher limit for cash withdrawals in all currencies.
Revolut increased the monthly limit ATM withdrawals up to €400 (no-fee) while N26 offers unlimited free ATM withdrawals worldwide in any currency (outside of the home country).
This is also the main reason I opted in for the N26 You card.
In many Asian countries, you will need a lot of cash, since the cashless payment culture is not as developed here. Apart from local ATM fees, that I am charged with every withdrawal I save at least the 1.7% foreign currency withdrawal fee from N26.
In case you plan to stay longer, the amount of withdrawals adds up, so does the 1.7% fee in case you use the N26 free debit card.
Currently, I use the N26 You for cash withdrawals and the Revolut Metal card for everyday transactions.
When comparing Revolut vs N26 it really is mostly about the demand for free ATM withdrawals, usability of the banking app, and the price of the plans.
A nice perk that comes with the Revolut premium card is also the LoungeKey-pass which gives you access to 1.000 airport lounges worldwide. That's quite convenient if you have a longer layover and want to rest in a lounge.
Both N26 Metal and Revolut Metal offer the same benefits and insurance cover as the above-mentioned premium versions.
The N26 Metal, as well as the Revolut Metal, come with a unique design. The cards are made from reinforced steel, which makes them much heavier as regular plastic cards. Apart from the aesthetics, there are only a few benefits that come with the metal version.
N26 Metal
Revolut Metal
The price-value-ratio of the N26 metal card isn't great compared to N26 You.
The Revolut metal on the other hand is absolutely worth it. It costs less than the N26 metal and it comes with a cashback.
Revolut Metal Cashback
With Revolut Metal you will get 0.1% cashback on all transactions in Europe and 1% cashback on all transactions outside of Europe up to the monthly subscription fee.
This means that if you spend €1,400 per month outside of Europe, the cashback covers your Revolut Metal subscription in full. If you pay for the annual plan, you will even turn a profit with the Revolut Metal cashback.
If you are only spending in Europe, it will be hard to finance the Revolut Metal plan with the cashback alone. If you are a European living abroad, you can essentially use the Revolut Metal plan at no cost if you use your Revolut card.
Luxury Metal Card
Both companies are targeting users who will use the cards to present their wealth.
When it comes to the additional features, there is not much-added value.
Let me be honest with you.
While you might be aroused by the look of the card. After one week, you won't even notice it.
The color of the card will eventually brush of, so I suggest picking a lighter color as the base of the card is grey, and it doesn't look good when the black finish brushes off after using the black Revolut metal card for a few months.
The metal card is significantly heavier than a plastic card, and it doesn't really provide any physical benefits apart that you can't break it. The main reasons to get a metal plan is for the additional perks rather than the physical card itself.
Who has the better exchange rate - Revolut or N26?
N26 and Revolut are well known for their excellent foreign currency exchange rates.
Traditional banks usually charge a hefty foreign currency exchange fee.
Additionally, they have a high spread on the currency exchange rate - they like to follow their own exchange rates rather than the market rates (interbank rates). Why? Because that’s how they make money.
N26 and Revolut’s primary mission is to offer users the possibility to transfer and receive money in foreign currencies for the best rate and lowest fees.
I have been traveling since mid-2017 now. Having the option to receive and transfer money for the lowest cost was one of the topics I had to figure out myself.
My favorite services for exchanging currencies are Wise, N26, and Revolut.
There are pros and cons with every service, for the purpose of this comparison, let’s stick to the differences between N26 and Revolut.
This is the result of my currency exchange test with Revolut and N26:
N26
Exchange rate € 1 = 1.579190 AUD
€ 1.000 = 1.572,68 AUD
Transferwise fee: € 4,12 (already included)
Revolut
Exchange rate € 1 = 1.5788 AUD
€ 1.000 = 1.578,81 AUD
fee: 0% during weekdays, 0.5% on the weekend
The currency conversion with Revolut turned out to be cheaper during the week as compared to N26, which collaborates with Transferwise and charges a small Transferwise fee for the currency exchange.
If you would make the conversion on the weekend, Revolut would charge you 0.5% ( €5 ) which would make the currency exchange more expensive as N26.
Both companies are very transparent when it comes to the communication of their currency exchange fees.
The N26 as well Revolut banking app show you exactly how much you will get in foreign currency and the fees you need to pay before making the conversion.
Most banks don’t offer you this option, which often results in unpleasant charges you did not expect.
What you should know about the currency exchange with Revolut
In case you use the Revolut Mastercard, you should be aware of the no-fee currency exchange amount of € 1.000 per month.
If you plan to exchange more money, you will be charged 0.5% of each conversion.
Revolut changes their currency exchange fees based on the time of the conversion and the foreign currency.
- USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, NZD, CHF, JPY, SEK, HKD, NOK, SGD, DKK, PLN, and MXN: 0% during fx hours (weekdays), 0.5% when the markets are closed (weekend)
- THB, RUB, UAH: 1% during fx hours (weekdays), 2% when the markets are closed (weekend)
- all other foreign currencies: 0% during fx hours (weekdays), 1% when the markets are closed (weekend)
Joint accounts are not supported
Both N26 bank, as well as Revolut, do not offer joint accounts. The only option to use two N26 cards simultaneously is to order an additional Maestro card.
Note, however, that you can not use the free N26 Mastercard and the N26 You or metal card at the same time.
Revolut offers you the option to order multiple physical and virtual cards. The bank account can, however, not be opened by more than one person.
Update: N26 now offers members of the YOU plan the possibility to open sub-accounts and order more cards.
What happens when you lose the card
Losing a debit card when abroad is not a pleasant situation. First, you will need to lock your card to avoid any fraud. You can do this through the mobile app that you use to manage your account.
If you lose your phone, you can log in to your N26 or Revolut bank account from any web browser and lock your lost card.
Ordering a new card
The loss of your card is frustrating enough. If you happen to be abroad, you will want to order a new card as soon as possible.
If you have the N26 card, you can only order a new card to one of the countries, where N26 is active. Worldwide shipments are not supported and the N26 bank is not flexible enough to deal with those requests.
Trust me, I have been through that. Read my experience with N26 here.
The only way to get a new N26 card is to order it to your home address and ask family or friends to ship it.
Revolut, on the other hand, can ship your card anywhere, which is a clear benefit over the N26 bank.
Remember that both banks N26 and Revolut offer virtual card, meaning you can connect the virtual card to Google Pay or Apple Pay and pay cashless in shops abroad.
While payments with your phone aren't supported everywhere, it's at least a good solution until you get a replacement card.
Who has the better support - N26 or Revolut?
The quality of the support from N26 and Revolut is quite the same. You can chat with a support agent within minutes through the banking-app. Both companies are good when it comes to answering general questions.
The N26 failed to impress when I lost my N26 card in Thailand and had to get a replacement. I haven’t had a negative experience with Revolut yet; however, there have been no significant issues. As a Revolut Metal user I also enjoy priority support which didn't disappoint yet.
Who has the better app - N26 or Revolut?
Both banking-apps are very intuitive to use and offer similar functions.
The N26 app comes with the following features:
- Overdrafts up to € 6.000 for 8.9% annual interest (depending on your credit score and country of residence)
- Spaces allow you to open sub-accounts and use them for saving purposes (no interest)
- Savings allow you to invest in funds with 1.48% annual interest
- Cash26 allows you to withdraw money for free at any N26 partners in Germany
- Moneybeam allows you to send money to other N26 users instantly
- Statistics allow you to view your expenses sorted in relevant categories
Cons:
- Login via fingerprint does not always work
- Not all of the features are supported in every country where N26 is active
- N26 You and N26 Metal are not available in all countries
The Revolut app comes with the following features:
- Analytics allow you to view spendings based on categories, merchants and countries
- Payment links allow you to generate and send links and request money from anyone - even users that won’t use Revolut
- Split bills with other Revolut users
- Set Budget for your spending
- Vaults help you save up your spare change
- Store up to 29 currencies within your account
- Virtual card for secure online payments
Cons:
- Cryptocurrency feature does not offer the full functions of a crypto exchange
- Stock trading is only available for metal card holders
N26, as well as Revolut app, allow you to top up your accounts with most European debit cards as well as via bank transfer. You can also manage your security settings, change your PIN or freeze your card.
As you can see, there are many differences apart from fees and prices you will pay for the card. It comes down to your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.
When it comes to making the right decision, the three main questions you should ask yourself are:
- How often do you withdraw cash and how much?
- Do you need any additional insurances?
- What features of the banking-app are you most likely going to use?
Both cards offer great terms for exchanging foreign currencies. For most users, the no-fee Mastercard from both companies will be good enough.
If you happen to travel a lot to countries where you need a higher amount of cash, the premium accounts might be worth looking into.
I have tested the no-fee and premium versions of both cards myself and chose to use the N26 You as my primary card, mainly due to the fact that I don’t have to pay any additional withdrawal fees in foreign currencies unless there is a local ATM fee I can pay and withdraw worldwide at no cost.
For all digital payments, I use Revolut Metal to increase my cashback earnings.
This, however, does not mean that’s the right choice for you as well. Chose the card that fits your demands the best.
When you are sending money between currencies on weekdays, the currency exchange with Revolut is slightly better. On the weekends, however, Revolut charges extra fees which makes the N26 the better option.
The most value brings the Revolut no-fee card, followed by the N26 you card.
The premium as well as the metal version of both cards are cheaper with Revolut.
This depends on whether you have the annual or monthly Revolut subscription. In case you withdraw more than €500 (or €600) per month the N26 you card is cheaper.
Currently there is no sign-up bonus for any of the N26 or Revolut cards. Who has the better exchange rate - N26 or Revolut?
Which card brings the most value - N26 or Revolut?
Which card is cheaper - N26 or Revolut?
Which premium card pays off more - N26 or Revolut?
Is there a sign up bonus with N26 or Revolut?
If you have any questions or want to share your experience with one of the mentioned companies, leave a comment. I am happy to help.
Some of the digital nomads might also consider the Transferwise card - this one has slightly higher fees, however, it is currently available in more countries. Read more about digital banking for travelers in my big comparison.
4 Comments
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Wonderful article. Would be great if you could add transferwise borderless cards as well :)
Might do, thanks for the tip. I have both the business and personal transferwise cards as well, however I still prefer the N26 and Revolut as my daily go to cards (their ecosystem is way more user friendly in my opinion)
Hi Jakub. Two questions/remarks:
I’m currently looking for a solution to work abroad and have an Australian employer deposit AUD into my bank account to me. TransferWise seems a good companion for this instead of getting a local Australian bank and transfer it to my Belgian bank (fees fees fees!). I think you agree with this? Because converting from AUD to EUR seems transparant and cheaper…
For day to day spending it seems Revolut or N26 are the way to go instead of TransferWise. I’m currently more geared towards N26 because of it’s better reputation and I don’t have to think about which day of the week we are to avoid weekend conversion fees. But then again, N26 doesn’t allow free ATM withdrawals in foreign currencies like Revolut does for a limited amount. What’s your take on this?
Hi Anton,
interesting questions.
1. yes having a TransferWise borderless account in AUD is a possible option. The question is whether your Australian employer agrees on this. If you will be spending your AUD in Australia then it’s probably better to get an Australian bank account (card payments and atm withdrawals should be for free). That’s what a lot of Europeans do when they go to work in Australia.
2. When I was living in Australia I used the N26 black card (0% atm fees but a monthly fee). It turned out to be the cheapest option for me as I haven’t received money from an Australian employer.
So the answer is:
– if you will receive income in AUD and spending it in AUD a local bank account makes sense (i.e. Commonwealth)
– if you will receive AUD but spending it abroad Transferwise or Revolut can be an option (both accounts allow you to store AUD in your account) – I think that transfering your AUD to EUR within Revolut is cheaper (better rates) than transfering it from Transferwise (AUD) to N26 (EUR)
Another question would be, how much will you be withdrawing per month and in what currency? Personally I think you can get both free accounts with Revolut and N26. If you will be traveling it’s good to have other options in case one card gets declined, stolen or lost.
Hope I could help you out with this.