TL;DR — In Brief
Wise is best for freelancers receiving international payments (usd/gbp/eur). Revolut is better suited for businesses with international transactions. If you're a freelancer or have a small business and want to collect payments simply without complications, PayLinks may be the best option - 30-second setup, no monthly fee, no business registration required.
Wise
Fee:1% – 2.9% (card payments)
Monthly fee:$0
No business req.:No
Revolut
Fee:1% + 1.20 RON (consumer cards)
Monthly fee:Included in Revolut Business plan
No business req.:No
PayLinks
Fee:2%
Monthly fee:$0
No business req.:Yes
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wise | Revolut | PayLinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment links | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recurring payments | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pay | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Revolut Pay | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No business required | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| No website required | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instant setup (30 sec) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Local support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
What is Wise?
Wise Business — "Money without borders". A fintech platform with payment functionality.
Strengths:
- ✅Real mid-market exchange rate with zero markup
- ✅Multi-currency accounts in 24+ currencies
- ✅Low fees for international transfers
Weaknesses:
- ⚠️Not a payment processor – limited payment acceptance features
- ⚠️Account verification takes 1-10 business days
- ⚠️Requires registered business for business accounts
What is Revolut?
Revolut Business — "Banking for business". A fintech platform with payment functionality.
Strengths:
- ✅Excellent and modern app
- ✅Superior multi-currency
- ✅Business cards included
Weaknesses:
- ⚠️Not focused on payment links
- ⚠️Support can be hard to reach
- ⚠️Requires Revolut account
The Alternative: PayLinks
PayLinks
If neither Wise nor Revolut seem ideal, maybe because:
- ⚠️You don't want to pay monthly fees even when you have no sales
- ⚠️You don't have (or don't want) a website
- ⚠️You don't have a registered business and want to collect payments as an individual
- ⚠️You don't want to wait days for approval
...then PayLinks is made for you. Built specifically for freelancers and small businesses.
30s
Full setup
$0
Monthly fee
5+
Payment methods
Global
Payments
Which one fits you?
Choose Wise if:
- ☑️Freelancers receiving international payments (USD/GBP/EUR)
- ☑️Businesses with overseas suppliers or clients
- ☑️Digital nomads needing multi-currency accounts
Choose Revolut if:
- ☑️Businesses with international transactions
- ☑️Those wanting complete ecosystem (banking + payments)
- ☑️Digital nomads and international freelancers
Choose PayLinks if:
- ✅Freelancers and solopreneurs
- ✅Individuals wanting to collect online
- ✅Private tutors and teachers
Questions about Wise vs Revolut
It depends on your needs. Wise is ideal for freelancers receiving international payments (usd/gbp/eur), while Revolut is better suited for businesses with international transactions. If you're a freelancer or have a small business and want simplicity, PayLinks may be a better option - 30-second setup, no monthly fee.