Revolut vs N26: neobank comparison for expats (2026)

Last verified: 2026-03-21

At a glance

Revolut is the broader financial super app with higher savings rates (3.00%), crypto trading, and availability in 29 countries. N26 is the cleaner mobile banking experience with a German IBAN, strong deposit protection through Germany's DGS, and a higher regulatory score on Capmap. Neither is objectively superior; your choice depends on whether you value feature breadth or IBAN compatibility and regulatory robustness.

Quick comparison

Feature	Revolut	N26
Monthly fee (free plan)	EUR 0	EUR 0
Premium plans	GBP 7.99 to GBP 13.99/month	EUR 9.90 to EUR 16.90/month
Savings interest rate	3.00%	2.26%
Deposit guarantee	EUR 100,000 (Lithuanian DIS)	EUR 100,000 (German DGS)
International transfers	Free up to EUR 1,000/month, then 0.50%	Via Wise integration
IBAN country	Lithuania (LT)	Germany (DE)
Countries available	29	16+
Best for	Multi-currency use, travel, and broad feature set	Straightforward mobile banking with a German IBAN

Introduction

Revolut and N26 are two of the most widely used neobanks in Europe. Both offer app-based current accounts with no monthly fee on their standard plans, making them popular choices among expats, digital nomads, and anyone looking for a modern alternative to traditional banks. But while they share a similar premise, the two platforms differ in meaningful ways when it comes to savings rates, international transfers, geographic reach, and premium features.

This comparison is designed for European residents, particularly expats, who are deciding between these two neobanks for their everyday banking. We look at real data from both platforms, including fees, features, and regulatory details, so you can make an informed choice based on your own needs.

Both platforms were last verified on Capmap on 2026-03-19. All data below comes from our platform database and may not reflect the very latest changes on the platforms' official websites.

Revolut overview

Revolut was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in the United Kingdom. It holds a Lithuanian banking licence under ECB supervision, which means deposits up to EUR 100,000 are protected under the Lithuanian Deposit Insurance Scheme. With over 35 million customers, Revolut is Europe's largest neobank by user count and is available in 29 countries across the continent.

The standard Revolut account is free and comes with a multi-currency account, an app-based debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay support, and access to international transfers. Revolut's free plan allows international transfers of up to EUR 1,000 per month at no charge, after which a 0.50% fee applies. Premium plans range from GBP 7.99 to GBP 13.99 per month and unlock extras like travel insurance, lounge access, and higher withdrawal limits.

Beyond banking, Revolut bundles stock trading, crypto trading, and commodities into the same app. This makes it appealing to users who want a single financial hub rather than separate apps for banking and investing. The app has an App Store rating of 4.7. Account types include current, savings, business, and junior accounts.

On savings, Revolut currently offers an interest rate of 3.00% on its savings feature, which is competitive compared to many traditional banks in the eurozone. The IBAN issued is Lithuanian (LT prefix), which is worth noting if you need a local IBAN for salary payments or direct debits in your country of residence.

N26 overview

N26 was founded in 2013 in Germany and holds a full German banking licence supervised directly by the ECB. This means deposits up to EUR 100,000 are protected under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), widely considered one of the strongest deposit protection frameworks in Europe. N26 serves customers in 16+ European countries.

The standard N26 account is also free of charge and includes a virtual debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and SEPA transfers. N26's premium tiers, called N26 Smart (EUR 4.90/month), N26 You (EUR 9.90/month), and N26 Metal (EUR 16.90/month), add features such as shared sub-accounts, travel insurance, and cashback offers. International transfers outside SEPA are handled through a Wise integration built into the app.

Like Revolut, N26 has expanded beyond pure banking into investing. It offers integrated stock and ETF investing directly within its app, allowing users to combine everyday banking with wealth-building tools. The app maintains an App Store rating of 4.6. Account types include current, savings, and business accounts.

N26 offers a savings interest rate of 2.26%, which trails Revolut's rate. The IBAN issued is German (DE prefix), which can be a significant advantage for users living in Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands, where a German IBAN is widely accepted without friction for salary deposits and direct debit mandates.

Fee comparison

Fee type	Revolut	N26
Monthly fee (standard)	EUR 0	EUR 0
Premium plans	GBP 7.99 to GBP 13.99/month	EUR 9.90 to EUR 16.90/month
International transfers (non-SEPA)	Free up to EUR 1,000/month, then 0.50%	Via Wise integration (Wise fees apply)
Savings interest rate	3.00%	2.26%
Deposit guarantee	EUR 100,000 (Lithuanian DIS)	EUR 100,000 (German DGS)

Both neobanks offer a completely free standard account with no monthly charges. The key differences emerge in premium pricing and international transfers. Revolut prices its premium plans in British pounds (reflecting its UK headquarters), while N26 prices in euros. For non-SEPA international transfers, Revolut handles them in-house with a clear fee structure, while N26 relies on Wise, which means transfer costs depend on Wise's rates at the time of the transaction.

On the savings side, Revolut's 3.00% interest rate is notably higher than N26's 2.26%. For users who keep meaningful balances in savings, this difference adds up over time. A EUR 10,000 balance would earn approximately EUR 300 per year with Revolut versus EUR 226 with N26, a difference of EUR 74.

Feature comparison

Feature	Revolut	N26
Apple Pay	Yes	Yes
Google Pay	Yes	Yes
International transfers	Yes (in-house)	Yes (via Wise)
Stock/ETF trading	Yes	Yes
Crypto trading	Yes	Not available on Capmap
Junior accounts	Yes	Not available on Capmap
Business accounts	Yes	Yes
iDEAL support	No	No
IBAN country	Lithuania (LT)	Germany (DE)
Number of countries	29	16+
App Store rating	4.7	4.6
Founded	2015	2013

Both platforms support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and international transfers, and both have added investing features to their apps. Revolut has a broader product range, including crypto trading and junior accounts, which N26 does not list. Revolut also covers 29 countries compared to N26's 16+, making it the more widely available option across Europe.

One area where N26 may have an edge for certain users is its German IBAN. In countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, some employers, landlords, and utility providers still prefer or require a domestic IBAN. A German IBAN tends to be accepted without questions across the SEPA zone, while a Lithuanian IBAN, though legally equivalent under EU regulations, can occasionally cause friction with older systems or less digitally minded organisations.

Neither platform currently supports iDEAL, the popular Dutch payment method, which means Netherlands-based users may still need a traditional Dutch bank account for some domestic payments.

Regulation and deposit protection

Revolut holds its banking licence in Lithuania and is supervised by the European Central Bank. Deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000 under the Lithuanian Deposit Insurance Scheme. On Capmap, Revolut carries a regulatory score of 7 out of 10.

N26 holds a full German banking licence and is also supervised by the ECB. Deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. N26 carries a regulatory score of 8 out of 10 on Capmap, reflecting the strength and maturity of Germany's regulatory framework.

Both platforms offer the same EUR 100,000 deposit protection under EU law. The practical difference lies in the perceived reliability of the national deposit insurance schemes. Germany's DGS is backed by one of Europe's largest economies, which some users find reassuring, though Lithuanian deposit protection carries the same legal obligations under EU directive 2014/49/EU.

Who should choose which?

If you frequently travel, send money internationally, or want a single app that combines banking with stock and crypto trading, Revolut offers a broader feature set and is available in more countries. Its in-house international transfers with a clear fee cap (free up to EUR 1,000/month) are straightforward, and its 3.00% savings rate is higher than what N26 currently offers.

If you prioritise a German IBAN for compatibility with employers, landlords, or direct debit mandates in Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands, N26 may be more practical for your daily banking. Its higher regulatory score on Capmap and established German banking licence may also appeal to users who value regulatory robustness. N26's premium tiers are priced in euros, which is simpler for eurozone residents than Revolut's GBP-denominated plans.

For expats moving between multiple European countries, Revolut's availability in 29 countries provides more flexibility. For those settling in one country within the eurozone who want a clean, focused banking experience, N26's simpler proposition and German IBAN may be the better fit.

Keep in mind that neither platform supports iDEAL, so if you are based in the Netherlands and rely on iDEAL for online payments, you may need a complementary account with a Dutch bank regardless of which neobank you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Is Revolut or N26 safer for my money?

Both platforms offer EUR 100,000 deposit protection under EU law. Revolut's deposits are covered by the Lithuanian Deposit Insurance Scheme, while N26's are covered by the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Both are legally equivalent under EU directive 2014/49/EU, though some users prefer the backing of Germany's larger economy.

Which has a better savings interest rate, Revolut or N26?

Revolut currently offers 3.00% on its savings feature, compared to N26's 2.26%. On a EUR 10,000 balance, this difference amounts to approximately EUR 74 per year. Rates may change, so verify the latest figures on each platform's website.

Can I use Revolut or N26 as my main bank account?

Yes, both function as full primary bank accounts with IBANs, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay support. The main consideration is IBAN compatibility: N26's German IBAN (DE prefix) may be more widely accepted by employers and direct debit mandates in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

Does Revolut or N26 support iDEAL?

Neither Revolut nor N26 currently supports iDEAL. If you live in the Netherlands and rely on iDEAL for online payments, you may need to maintain a complementary account with a Dutch bank. Consider Wise if iDEAL support is essential.

Which neobank has better international transfer fees?

Revolut handles international transfers in-house, offering free transfers up to EUR 1,000 per month on the free plan (0.50% fee thereafter). N26 routes international transfers through Wise, so you pay Wise's standard fees (typically 0.41% to 0.62%). For transfers under EUR 1,000 per month, Revolut is cheaper; for larger amounts, the difference narrows.

Is a German IBAN better than a Lithuanian IBAN?

Under EU regulations, all SEPA IBANs must be treated equally. In practice, a German IBAN (N26) may encounter fewer acceptance issues with certain employers, landlords, and utility providers, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. A Lithuanian IBAN (Revolut) is legally equivalent but can occasionally cause friction with older systems.

Conclusion

Revolut and N26 are both strong neobank options for European residents. Revolut leads on breadth: more countries, more features, higher savings rate, and integrated crypto. N26 leads on IBAN quality for eurozone users and carries a slightly higher regulatory score. Neither is objectively superior to the other; the right choice depends on whether you prioritise geographic flexibility and feature depth, or regulatory preference and IBAN compatibility.

You can explore both platforms in detail on Capmap: Revolut and N26. For a broader look at banking platforms available across Europe, visit our directory. You may also want to read our Revolut vs Wise comparison for another perspective on Revolut.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change; verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-21.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform — we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.