How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- XE Currency is the best pure converter, with reliable rates, offline mode and a rate alert feature.
- Wise suits people who also send money abroad, since conversion and transfer live in one app at transparent fees.
- Revolut suits frequent travellers who want conversion, cards and budgeting in one account.
- OANDA is the best choice for businesses and traders who need historical rates and API access.
- Free converter apps earn money on exchange rate margins or transfer fees, so compare the rate you actually get, not just the app price.
A currency converter app answers a simple question: what is this amount worth in another currency right now. The best apps do it fast, offline, and with rates you can trust. Some go further, letting you hold balances, send transfers or spend abroad from the same app. The eight below cover both kinds, from pure converters to full travel money accounts.
Most converter apps are free to download. Their costs hide in exchange rate margins, transfer fees or subscription tiers, so the table marks prices as "See website" and the guide explains where each app makes its money. This is not financial advice, and rates shown in any app are indicative until a transfer or exchange is confirmed.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 XE Currency | Pure conversion and alerts | Free | Yes |
 Wise | Transfers at transparent fees | Free | Yes |
 Revolut | Travel money account | See website | Yes |
 OANDA | Historical rates and business use | Free | Yes |
 CurrencyFair | Peer-to-peer exchange | See website | Yes |
 Travelex | Travel cash and cards | See website | Yes |
 Western Union | Cash transfers worldwide | See website | Yes |
 PayPal | Everyday payments with conversion | See website | Yes |
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The best currency converter apps
#1
XE Currency
Best for: Pure conversion and alerts
Visit xe.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
XE Currency is the converter most travellers know. It converts between a huge range of currencies, stores the last rates for offline use, and lets you set alerts for a target rate. The interface is fast, the calculator is simple, and the app has been around long enough to earn trust. XE also offers money transfers, though conversion alone is where it shines.
The app itself is free, and XE makes money on transfers and related services. For checking what a price means in your home currency, or watching a rate before a big purchase, XE remains the most reliable pure converter.
What we like- Reliable mid-market rates
- Offline mode with stored rates
- Rate alerts for target levels
Watch out for- Transfer fees apply when sending money
- Business features need a separate account
#2Wise
Best for: Transfers at transparent fees4.7/5 on
G2 (11 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit wise.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Wise, formerly TransferWise, built its name on showing the real exchange rate and a separate, visible fee. The app converts, holds balances in many currencies, and sends transfers at that transparent rate. A debit card in supported regions lets you spend held balances abroad, and the rate you see is the rate you get, minus the stated fee.
Wise is less useful as a pure offline converter than XE, and card availability varies by country. For someone who converts and sends money regularly, especially freelancers and expats, Wise gives the clearest deal in this guide.
What we like- Real mid-market rate with a clear fee shown upfront
- Multi-currency account
- Fast transfers in many corridors
Watch out for- Not a cash travel card in every country
- Fees vary by currency route
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Revolut wraps currency conversion into a broader money app with cards, budgeting, savings and investing in some regions. Travellers exchange currency in the app, spend from a card abroad, and freeze or replace cards instantly. The free tier covers casual travel, while paid tiers raise exchange limits and remove some weekend markups.
The free tier's limits matter. Weekend exchanges carry a markup, and fair-usage caps apply to free currency exchange each month. For frequent travellers who want one app for money abroad, Revolut is the most complete travel money choice here.
What we like- Currency exchange inside a full banking-style app
- Travel cards and budgeting
- Many currencies supported
Watch out for- Free tier has exchange limits and weekend markups
- Premium tiers needed for best rates
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
OANDA is a foreign exchange company whose rate data powers many other services. Its converter app gives accurate rates with historical charts, so businesses can check what a rate was on a past date for accounting. An API serves companies that need rates inside their own systems, and the firm also offers trading and transfer services.
The consumer app is functional rather than beautiful, and it lacks the travel features of Revolut or Wise. For accountants, businesses and traders who need trustworthy rate data, OANDA is the reference choice.
What we like- Trusted exchange rate data
- Historical rates and charts
- API for businesses
Watch out for- Consumer app is less polished than XE
- Transfer services are secondary
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
CurrencyFair runs a peer-to-peer marketplace where users exchange currency with each other, which can produce better rates than banks on popular routes. Fees are shown upfront, and the platform handles larger transfers well, which suits property purchases and business payments. The app covers conversion and transfer in one flow.
The currency range is narrower than Wise, and matching a peer can take time on less common routes. For larger transfers on major routes, CurrencyFair's marketplace model is worth comparing against Wise before sending.
What we like- Marketplace model can beat bank rates
- Transparent fees
- Good for larger transfers
Watch out for- Smaller currency range than Wise
- Peer matching can take time on some routes
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Travelex is the travel money veteran, with airport bureaux, high-street stores and prepaid travel cards. The app lets travellers order currency for pickup, manage a travel money card and check rates before a trip. For travellers who want cash in hand on arrival, the physical network is the advantage.
Rates at airports and stores are usually worse than app-only services like Wise, so Travelex suits convenience over price. For a traveller who prefers cash and a card from one provider, with locations at the airport, Travelex remains practical.
What we like- Airport and high-street cash pickup
- Prepaid travel money cards
- Long travel money track record
Watch out for- Exchange rates are less competitive than Wise
- App is secondary to physical locations
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Western Union's strength is reach. Money can be picked up in cash at hundreds of thousands of agent locations worldwide, or sent to bank accounts and mobile wallets. The app includes a currency converter and rate estimator, and the network covers countries where bank transfers are impractical.
The cost is higher than Wise or CurrencyFair, with fees and exchange margins adding up. For sending money to someone who needs cash pickup in a remote area, Western Union's network is unmatched. For a simple conversion check, XE is faster.
What we like- Huge agent network for cash pickup
- Transfers to bank accounts and mobile wallets
- Long global reach
Watch out for- Fees and margins are higher than Wise
- Converter is secondary to transfers
#8PayPal
Best for: Everyday payments with conversion4.4/5 on
G2 (2,751 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit paypal.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
PayPal converts currency inside payments, which makes it convenient for online shopping and sending money to friends abroad. The app shows the conversion during checkout, and buyer protection applies to eligible purchases. Most online buyers already have an account, so no new setup is needed.
The cost is the weakness. PayPal's conversion includes a margin over the mid-market rate plus a fee, making it pricier than Wise for transfers. For a one-off purchase in another currency, the convenience wins. For regular transfers, a dedicated service saves money.
What we like- Conversion built into payments people already use
- Buyer protection on purchases
- Wide merchant acceptance
Watch out for- Currency conversion fees are high
- Rates include a margin over the mid-market rate
How we chose
We compared apps on their published features, rate sources, fee disclosures and public reviews from travellers and businesses. We favoured apps with reliable rates, offline or quick conversion, and clear fee information. Prices were marked "See website" where fees depend on route, amount and tier. We did not claim hands-on testing, and this guide is not financial advice.
Getting the best rate, not just the best app
Compare the rate you receive, not the rate an app advertises. The mid-market rate is the benchmark, and the gap between it and your rate is the real cost. Wise shows that gap plainly, while other apps fold it into the rate. For a large transfer, a one percent gap costs far more than any app subscription.
Also check the total for your route. Fees, margins, weekend markups and receiving charges all add up, and the cheapest app for one currency pair may not be cheapest for another. For travel spending, a card with no foreign transaction fee often beats converting cash, since card networks use competitive rates. Run the same amount through two apps before a large transfer and pick the better total.
Converter apps help most when used with a rate-alert habit. Set alerts for the currency pair and rate you actually need, rather than checking rates daily, since daily checking tempts users into poorly timed exchanges. For larger transfers, compare the app's rate with two other providers on the same day, including fees, because a good rate with a high fee can cost more than a slightly worse rate with no fee. Travellers should download offline rates before flying, since airport currency desks charge the worst rates and a phone without signal leaves no comparison option. Keep a small buffer in the destination currency for arrival costs such as taxis and meals, so a delayed transfer never leaves you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free currency converter app?
XE Currency is the best free pure converter, with reliable rates, offline mode and rate alerts at no cost. Wise is the best free app if you also send money, since it shows the real rate and a clear fee. Both are free to download and use for conversion.
Is Wise cheaper than a bank for currency exchange?
Usually yes. Wise uses the mid-market rate and charges a separate visible fee, while banks typically add a margin to the rate plus fees. The exact saving depends on the currency route and amount, so compare the total received for your transfer before sending.
Can I convert currency offline?
Yes, on some apps. XE Currency stores the last fetched rates for offline conversion, which helps when travelling without data. Most transfer features still need a connection, since live rates and payments require the network. Download or refresh rates over Wi-Fi before travelling.
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buy and sell prices on global currency markets, and it is the fairest benchmark rate. Banks and apps rarely offer it directly; they add a margin. Comparing an app's rate against the mid-market rate shows the true cost of conversion.
Does Revolut charge for currency exchange?
Revolut's free tier includes a monthly allowance of fee-free exchange, with a markup on weekends and beyond the allowance. Paid tiers raise the allowance and reduce markups. Check the current limits on Revolut's pricing page, since they change by plan and region.
Which app is best for sending money to family abroad?
Wise suits most transfers with transparent rates and fees, while Western Union suits recipients who need cash pickup where banks are scarce. Compare both for your route, since the best total depends on the destination, amount and payout method.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.xe.com
- https://wise.com
- https://www.revolut.com
- https://www.oanda.com
- https://www.currencyfair.com
- https://www.travelex.com
- https://www.westernunion.com
- https://www.paypal.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.