Wise
International transfers · Wise
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- Yes
A licensed money-transfer service that uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, upfront fee — often cheaper than bank wires for personal transfers.
Wise versus Revolut in Japan
Transfer cost, FX treatment, weekend charges, receiving, cards, ATMs, and limits compared for personal and moderate multi-currency use in Japan.
Direct answers
Wise is the more transparent transfer and receiving tool with the broadest currency coverage and a ¥150m Type I ceiling for qualifying transfers, while Revolut is the stronger everyday card and travel app — but adds 1% outside market hours; the cheaper one depends on your amount, timing, and plan.
Key points
- Wise: mid-market rate with a transparent fee, 40+ currencies, local receiving details, Type I up to ¥150m for qualifying transfers.
- Revolut: strong card controls and travel use; Standard has no listed exchange fee in market hours within allowances, +1% outside them.
- For receiving and large transfers, Wise is usually the better fit; for card spending and travel, Revolut often is.
- Neither is universally cheaper — compare a same-time quote for your amount, timing, and plan.
Transfers, receiving, and limits
Wise shows the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, holds 40+ currencies, offers local receiving details subject to eligibility, and supports qualifying Japan-based Type I large transfers up to ¥150 million (default ¥1 million holding limit for Japan addresses, temporarily raisable). This makes Wise the more natural choice for receiving foreign income and for larger transfers.
Revolut is a registered Type II provider whose transfer and receiving features depend on the account and route; some SWIFT routes have no Revolut transfer fee but can incur intermediary fees. For pure transfer transparency and receiving details, Wise generally leads.
Cards, weekends, and who wins
Revolut’s strength is the everyday card: strong controls, travel usability, and no listed Standard exchange fee for regular customers during market hours within allowances. The catch is a 1% charge on fiat exchanges outside market hours (and 0.5% on high-frequency Standard use). Wise’s card converts from a matching balance or at a currency-dependent fee and advises choosing local currency at ATMs.
The verdict is situational: for receiving income and larger, transparent transfers, Wise usually wins; for card spending, subscriptions, and weekday travel, Revolut often wins. Because allowances and market-hour rules change what you pay, compare a same-time quote for your specific amount, timing, and plan.
Who this is for
- People deciding between Wise and Revolut
- Travellers and those receiving foreign income
What this is not
- Cash pickup for unbanked recipients (use a cash-network specialist)
Important cautions
- Revolut’s out-of-market-hours 1% and plan allowances change the cost; confirm current terms before assuming a free conversion.
Related products & services
Revolut
レボリュートMulti-currency account · Revolut
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- Yes
A multi-currency app account with a card and fee allowances for currency exchange, useful for people who spend or hold multiple currencies.