Field Test for Full-Time Nomads
Three apps dominate nomad banking in 2025. Wise (true multi-currency rails), Revolut (feature-rich super-app), and N26 (EU bank with a clean card experience). We ran all three across 10+ countries, logging real fees, FX behavior, ATM costs, and support tickets. This is a balanced, field-tested comparison—what actually works on the road, where each app fails, and how to combine them into a foolproof stack.
Introduction: The fintech trio that dominates nomad banking
Nomads need accounts that receive like locals (ACH in the US, SEPA in the EU, Faster Payments in the UK), hold multiple currencies without forced conversion, and spend from the right pot—ideally with clean FX and low ATM pain. Wise, Revolut, and N26 became the default trio because they each nail a different part of that brief:
- Wise is the hands-down winner for multi-currency plumbing. It gives you named local details (USD routing+account, EU IBAN, UK sort code), true currency pots, transparent FX, and simple outgoing rails.
- Revolut is the Swiss Army knife: vaults, analytics, virtual cards, travel extras, lounge passes, even investments. It’s brilliant when everything works—and maddening when support scripts loop or weekend FX nibbles your margin.
- N26 is an EU bank first: euro-native, clean UX, Spaces (sub-accounts), and strong card controls. If you live in the Eurozone and travel often, it’s a reliable daily driver—but its multi-currency is limited compared to Wise/Revolut.
If you want one app to rule them all, you’ll be disappointed. If you combine them cleverly, you can get local receiving, cheap FX, good cards, and a bank-grade backbone for large euro balances.
Testing methodology: how we compared
Used from 10+ countries over 12 months
We carried the trio through Spain, Portugal, France, UK, US, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. We paid rent, withdrew cash, received USD invoices, moved EUR to a USD broker, and ran day-to-day spending. Each account was fully KYC’d, with personal and (where relevant) business profiles.
Real transactions, real fees
We tracked FX rates vs mid-market, ATM surcharges, network fees, weekend markups, and card limits. We tested pre-conversion (locking rate before weekends) vs spot conversion at POS/ATM. We intentionally triggered DCC prompts to measure the penalty (and declined them in real life, of course).
Customer support stress tests
We opened tickets on: changing tax residence, adding new devices, address updates, failed transfers, and ATM reversals. We measured first response time, time to resolution, and whether the answer actually solved the issue.
Quick comparison overview (table)
Fees, limits, features at-a-glance
Important: Exact features/fees vary by country and plan. Treat this as a field snapshot; verify against your region before committing.
| Category | Wise | Revolut | N26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account type | E-money (safeguarded) | E-money/bank (region-dependent) | Bank (EU license) |
| Local details | USD ACH, EU IBAN, UK sort code (named) | USD/EUR/GBP details (coverage varies by region/tier) | EU IBAN (EUR focus) |
| True multi-currency pots | Yes (dozens) | Yes (major CCYs) | Limited (EUR-first) |
| FX approach | Mid-market + transparent fee; no forced auto-FX | Competitive weekday rates; weekend markup often applies | Network/bank FX; less control |
| ATM use | Monthly allowance, then fee; no DCC if you choose local CCY | Monthly allowance by plan; weekend FX if converting live | Allowance by plan; EUR native best |
| Cards | Debit (physical + virtual) | Debit, virtual/disposable, premium metal | Debit; great Spaces linking |
| Insurance/perks | Minimal | Strong on Premium/Metal tiers | On higher tiers (You/Metal) |
| Support | Slow-ish but precise | Fast first response, sometimes scripted | Business hours feel (EU-centric) |
Whichever you pick, leaks come from FX — trim them in Currency Exchange Fees.
Residency requirements
- Wise: Broad availability; country-by-country list.
- Revolut: Widely available; some features gated by plan and residency.
- N26: Primarily EEA (and a few extras). Many features require EU residency.
Card types and tiers
- Wise: Single debit card; features same across users, limits depend on verification.
- Revolut: Standard/Plus/Premium/Metal. Higher tiers = bigger limits, ATM allowances, insurance, lounge.
- N26: Standard/You/Metal. Higher tiers add insurance, extra Spaces, and FX extras.
Wise deep dive
Strengths: True multi-currency, transparent fees, local IBANs
Wise’s superpower is plumbing. You get named receiving details in USD/EUR/GBP (and more), so clients can pay you like a local. Balances are truly segregated by currency; nothing converts unless you do it. FX is mid-market with a clear, small fee—visible before you commit. For transfers, Wise handles SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments, and SWIFT, making it a great hub for broker funding and paying contractors.
Field note: Receiving USD by ACH into the USD pot, then ACH to a US broker was painless. No mystery bank FX, no forced conversions.
Weaknesses: No credit, basic app, limited support channels
Wise doesn’t try to be a bank with credit or rewards. The app is intentionally plain compared to Revolut. Support tends to be email-heavy; urgent in-app chat exists but queues happen during EU business peaks.
Best for: Multi-currency holders, freelancers receiving international payments
If your life is invoices from multiple regions, Wise is the most predictable way to receive, hold, and pay without accidental FX. It’s also the easiest to explain to a broker’s compliance team because funds arrive from an account in your name with a clean trail.
Fee structure breakdown
- FX: Mid-market + small variable fee (corridor-dependent), shown upfront.
- Card: Simple, with a monthly ATM allowance then per-withdrawal fee.
- Transfers: Clear fixed + variable components; you can compare routes before sending.
Real-world performance in different regions
- EU/UK: Flawless SEPA/FPS.
- US: USD ACH receiving worked with most payers; some niche platforms insist on “traditional banks,” but acceptance has improved.
- LatAm/SEA: Outgoing SWIFT reliable; incoming sometimes screened—upload source-of-funds on first large deposit to avoid delays.
Red flags: Not a deposit-insured bank; safeguarded funds model. Keep large idle balances at an insured bank if that matters to you.
Revolut deep dive
Strengths: Feature-rich app, metal card perks, crypto integration
Revolut is maximalist: vaults, pockets, sub-budgets, virtual and disposable cards, lounge passes, travel insurance on Premium/Metal, even stocks/crypto in certain regions. For daily travel spend, it’s delightful: category insights, granular controls, one-tap freezes, and excellent virtual card ergonomics.
Weaknesses: Weekend FX fees, support quality, account freezes
You pay for the magic with complexity. Weekend FX markups can bite if you convert at the ATM on a Saturday. Support is lightning-fast to greet you, but deep issues sometimes bounce between scripts. Revolut also has the most freeze stories online (to be fair, any large fintech does)—keep your KYC docs handy and maintain a backup card.
Best for: High-frequency travelers, premium tier users
If you’re on the road weekly and like the super-app approach, Premium/Metal unlocks the most value: higher limits, better allowances, insurance, and softer edges on fees.
Standard vs Plus vs Premium vs Metal
- Standard/Plus: Good starter; mind the ATM and FX allowances.
- Premium: Sweet spot for frequent travelers.
- Metal: For power users who’ll actually use insurance, lounge, and bigger limits.
Real-world performance in different regions
- EU/UK/US: Strong. POS acceptance high; Apple/Google Pay flawless.
- SEA/LatAm: ATM behavior depends on DCC prompts; pre-convert on weekdays to dodge weekend FX.
- Support: Fast initial chat; escalations can take a business day.
Red flags: If you only need multi-currency rails and simple spending, Revolut can be overkill—and complexity can create edge-case fees.
N26 deep dive
Strengths: Clean UX, spaces (sub-accounts), EU banking license
N26 is the euro native of the trio with a full EU banking license. The app is uncluttered, Spaces make envelope budgeting effortless, and card controls are solid. For EU residents who travel often but still live primarily in EUR, N26 is a dependable daily driver.
Weaknesses: EU residency required (mostly), limited multi-currency
Outside the Eurozone use-case, N26 isn’t a true multi-currency powerhouse. You’ll rely on network FX or separate apps (Wise/Revolut) for non-EUR flows. Availability beyond EEA is limited.
Best for: EU-based nomads, minimalists
If your income and bills are EUR-heavy and you want a bank (not just e-money), N26 fits. Pair it with Wise for USD/GBP receiving and you’re set.
Free vs You vs Metal
- Standard (Free): Solid EUR wallet with basic card.
- You: Adds travel insurance and extra Spaces.
- Metal: Premium card, priority support, and the full perk set.
Real-world performance in EU vs outside EU
- Within EU: Excellent. Card is loved, SEPA is instant/cheap, budgeting feels native.
- Outside EU: Works, but you’ll miss local receiving in USD/GBP and deeper multi-currency control.
Red flags: Not ideal for USD-centric nomads unless paired with another app.
Feature-by-feature showdown
FX fees and spreads
- Wise: Most transparent; shows mid-market and fee before you confirm.
- Revolut: Competitive weekday rates; weekend markup if converting live. Pre-convert Friday.
- N26: Network/bank FX; fine for casual use, but lacks granular control.
ATM withdrawal limits and fees
- Wise: Monthly free allowance; then small fee. Best if you pre-convert to local currency.
- Revolut: Allowance varies by tier; Premium/Metal friendlier. Weekend FX if converting on the fly.
- N26: EU-friendly; outside EUR, treat as a normal debit—watch local ATM surcharges.
Customer support (chat, phone, response times)
- Wise: Slower first response but accurate resolutions; email + chat.
- Revolut: Fast chat, sometimes scripted on complex cases; escalate politely.
- N26: EU business-hour cadence; answers are concise and bank-style.
Travel insurance and perks
- Revolut Premium/Metal and N26 You/Metal offer travel coverage and extras. Wise stays lean—no frills, just rails.
Virtual cards and disposable cards
- Revolut wins—disposable cards for risky sites, multiple virtuals for subscriptions.
- Wise has solid virtuals, fewer bells.
- N26 offers virtual cards within Spaces workflow for tidy budgeting.
Budgeting and analytics
- Revolut: Deep insights, vault rules, merchant labeling.
- N26: Spaces make it delightful to ring-fence money.
- Wise: Basic analytics; focus is movement, not mindfulness.
Regional availability
- Wise/Revolut: Broad.
- N26: EU-centric; treat as your EUR home base.
The fee reality check
Assumptions for comparisons below are illustrative; always check your plan/region.
Scenario 1: €5,000/month spending across EU/US/Asia
- Wise: Pre-convert to local CCY on weekdays; card spend draws from that pot → low FX drag. ATM: within allowance → minimal.
- Revolut: If you forget to pre-convert and spend on weekends, add 0.5–1.0% markup on those transactions. Premium tier may offset with perks.
- N26: In EUR areas, great. Outside, network FX applies—good enough, but less control.
Winner: Revolut (if disciplined with pre-conversion) or Wise (if you prefer radical transparency).
Scenario 2: Freelancer receiving $3k/month from US clients
- Wise: USD ACH in your name → hold USD → pay bills or ACH to broker; cheapest and cleanest.
- Revolut: USD receiving possible by region; sometimes pooled—clients/marketplaces may balk.
- N26: Not designed for USD receiving.
Winner: Wise by a mile.
Scenario 3: High ATM usage, low card spending
- Revolut Premium/Metal often best if you exploit reimbursements/allowances and avoid weekend conversion.
- Wise is solid with allowance + pre-converted withdrawals.
- N26 fine in EU; watch surcharges abroad.
Winner: Revolut (premium tiers) or Wise (if you dislike subscriptions).
Total cost comparison (rule-of-thumb)
- If you receive multiple currencies: Wise’s FX + rails usually cheapest over a month.
- If you want perks + analytics: Revolut Premium/Metal worth it if you actually use the benefits.
- If you’re EU-centric: N26 as your main, with Wise as your FX/receiving sidekick.
Customer support: when things go wrong
Wise: Slow but thorough
Expect precise answers and solid paper trails. Not flashy; gets it done. For compliance reviews (first large deposit), upload requested docs once; they rarely ask twice.
Revolut: Fast but scripted
You’ll get a human fast; the challenge is breaking past scripted loops on edge cases. Be concise, provide screenshots, and ask for escalation if the answer is generic.
N26: Germany-hours focused
Bank-style terseness. When they say 1–2 business days, they mean it. If you need hand-holding at 2AM in Bali, have a backup.
Account freeze horror stories (and resolutions)
All three freeze when risk systems spike. The consistent fix: have your documents (passport, address proof, invoices, statements) and respond quickly. Keep a second card from a different issuer so you’re never stranded.
Security and trust
Regulatory status (e-money vs bank)
- Wise/Revolut (in many regions) operate as e-money providers: funds are safeguarded, not deposit-insured.
- N26 is an EU bank: deposits covered by statutory insurance up to scheme limits.
Deposit insurance
If you park large idle balances, prefer insured accounts (N26, or a home-country bank) and use Wise/Revolut for flows.
2FA and security features
All three support app locks, biometrics, per-card freezes, and location-based checks. Register two devices and hold backup codes outside your phone (paper vault).
Company stability and funding
They’re all large, well-known players by now. Even so, never rely on one app. Redundancy is security.
Can you use all three? The multi-card strategy
Yes—and you should.
- Wise = rails + receiving. Keep your USD/EUR/GBP pots here and pay contractors/brokers from your named accounts.
- Revolut = daily spend + perks. Pre-convert on weekdays, use virtual/disposable cards, enjoy analytics and insurance if tiered.
- N26 = EUR home base. Salary/long-stay rent in EUR, Spaces for budgeting, deposit insurance as your euro cushion.
This trio covers receiving, spending, saving, and FX with redundancy if one provider has an outage or a compliance hold.
Deal-breakers by persona
EU citizen traveling globally → N26 + Wise (+ Revolut if you want perks)
- N26 as the main EUR bank (insured).
- Wise for USD/GBP receiving and low-friction FX.
- Add Revolut Premium if you’ll use insurance, lounge, and deeper analytics.
Non-EU nomad → Wise + Revolut
- Wise for named local details in USD/EUR/GBP.
- Revolut for spend/ATM and virtual cards.
- Consider a traditional bank in your home country for deposit insurance and high-value parking.
US expat → US bank + Wise + Revolut
- Keep a US bank for salaries/ACH hub.
- Wise for receiving/cross-border payouts and broker funding.
- Revolut as travel wallet (pre-convert, premium for perks).
Crypto-friendly → Revolut (regions that allow it) + Wise (off-ramp rails)
- Revolut if your region supports crypto features (small allocation only).
- Wise to off-ramp into named fiat accounts with clean documentation.
Our pick for 2025
There’s no single winner because the needs aren’t single. If we had to choose a centerpiece for full-time nomads, it’s Wise: the local details + true multi-currency + transparent FX combo solves the hardest problems reliably. Pair it with Revolut Premium for daily spending, analytics, and perks, and add N26 if you’re EU-based and want insured EUR storage and a simple card.
One-line stack: Wise (rails) + Revolut (spend) + N26 (EUR bank). You’ll receive like a local, convert once at a fair price, spend smart, and sleep knowing you aren’t locked to a single provider.
FAQs
Which is cheapest for FX?
For predictable routes, Wise. For weekday-only FX and perks, Revolut can be as cheap—if you pre-convert. N26 is fine for EUR natives; less control outside EUR.
Which works best for US client payments?
Wise with USD ACH in your name.
Is Revolut Metal worth it?
If you’ll actually use the insurance, higher limits, and lounge, yes. If not, Premium or even Standard + Wise may be more cost-effective.
Can I rely on one app?
Don’t. Always carry two cards from two providers. Redundancy is part of your financial safety kit.
Pair your winner with a simple stack via Multi-Currency That Doesn’t Bite and plan cash pulls with ATM Strategy for Travelers.
