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APH’s Ultimate Guide: Comparing the Best Finance Apps for Traveling Abroad

In today’s digital age, selecting the right finance app can significantly enhance your financial management, especially for travel and everyday transactions. Here’s a summary of some top finance apps available in the market.

Chase offers a free debit card with no foreign transaction fees and cashback on spending. It is ideal for UK tax residents with a savings account offering competitive interest rates.

Currensea provides fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad. Its premium plans offer additional travel benefits like KrisFlyer air miles and complimentary hotel stays.

Curve has various tiers, starting with a free option. While it charges fees on currency conversions, it offers features like real-time alerts and the ability to choose which card to use for transactions.

FairFX provides a multi-currency card with a straightforward fee structure and allows access to 20 currencies, making it useful for frequent travelers. However, it charges for ATM withdrawals.

First Direct offers a free debit card with competitive interest rates on savings. It is suitable for users looking for straightforward banking without additional fees.

Monese features a simple and classic plan with modest fees and multi-currency options. It is designed for those who need to manage multiple currencies easily.

Monzo is known for its free standard plan with extensive fee-free withdrawals in the EEA. It also offers interest on travel funds, making it a solid choice for travelers.

Revolut provides various plans, including free and paid options, with competitive currency exchange rates and travel insurance benefits, appealing to frequent travelers.

Starling offers a free personal current account with unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals abroad and competitive interest rates on balances up to £5,000.

Travelex offers a free money card but includes transaction fees. It supports 22 currencies, making it versatile for international transactions.

Overall, when choosing a finance app, consider factors like fees, currency support, and additional benefits to find the best fit for your financial needs.

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Chase

Plan: Debit Card – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free, daily limit £500, monthly limit £1,500
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Charged at MasterCard exchange rate
  • Currencies: GBP (UK tax resident only)
  • Interest / Cash Back: 3.85% AER (3.78% gross) variable, 1% cashback on spending
  • Travel Benefits: Rewards with 1% cashback on spending, private details option
  • Notifications: Real-time spending notifications
  • Split Bills: N/A


Currensea

Plan: Essential – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad, £500/month limit
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 2% FX rate over £500/month
  • Currencies: 180 currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: KrisFlyer air miles, free card delivery
  • Notifications: Spend notifications, freeze/unfreeze card
  • Split Bills: N/A

Plan: Premium – £25/year

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad, £500/month limit
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 0% FX rate
  • Currencies: 180 currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Car hire benefits, complimentary hotel nights
  • Notifications: Spend notifications, freeze/unfreeze card
  • Split Bills: N/A

Plan: Elite – £120/year

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad, £750/month limit
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 0% FX rate
  • Currencies: 180 currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Concierge service, lounge access, luxury hotel perks
  • Notifications: Spend notifications, freeze/unfreeze card
  • Split Bills: N/A


Curve

Plan: Curve Lite – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 2.5% weekdays, 1% weekends
  • Cash Withdrawal: No fee-free withdrawals
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 2.5% weekdays, 1% weekends
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Access to fair FX rates, real-time alerts
  • Notifications: “Anti-Embarrassment Mode”
  • Split Bills: Decide which card spends

Plan: Curve X – £5.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Cash Withdrawal: £300/month fee-free withdrawal
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Access to fair FX rates, real-time alerts
  • Notifications: “Anti-Embarrassment Mode”
  • Split Bills: Decide which card spends

Plan: Curve Black – £9.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Cash Withdrawal: £500/month fee-free withdrawal
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR
  • Interest / Cash Back: 1% cashback at 6 retailers
  • Travel Benefits: Access to fair FX rates, real-time alerts
  • Notifications: “Anti-Embarrassment Mode”
  • Split Bills: Unlimited card spending

Plan: Curve Metal – £17.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Cash Withdrawal: £1,000/month fee-free withdrawal
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 1% fee after limits
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR
  • Interest / Cash Back: 1% cashback at 12 retailers
  • Travel Benefits: Worldwide airport lounge access
  • Notifications: “Anti-Embarrassment Mode”
  • Split Bills: Unlimited card spending


FairFX

Plan: Multi-Currency Card – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: £1.00 fee for UK & International ATMs
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 2.25% fee for non-FairFX currencies
  • Currencies: 20 currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Top up, exchange, check balance
  • Split Bills: N/A


First Direct

Plan: Debit Card – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Daily limit £500
  • Currency Conversion Fee: N/A
  • Currencies: GBP
  • Interest / Cash Back: 7.00% AER on Regular Saver account
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Spending insights
  • Split Bills: N/A


Monese

Plan: Simple – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 2% per transaction
  • Cash Withdrawal: 2% fee for ATM withdrawals
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Starts from 2%
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR, RON
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Multi-currency account, bills protection
  • Notifications: Split bill in app
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Classic – £7.95/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 0.5% per transaction
  • Cash Withdrawal: £500 fee-free allowance
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Starts from 0.5%
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR, RON
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Multi-currency account, bills protection
  • Notifications: Split bill in app
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Premium – £14.95/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: Free
  • Cash Withdrawal: £1,500 fee-free allowance
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 1% min charge
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR, RON
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: Multi-currency account, priority support
  • Notifications: Split bill in app
  • Split Bills: Yes


Monzo

Plan: Standard – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Unlimited fee-free in EEA, £200/month outside
  • Currency Conversion Fee: True market rate + 1%
  • Currencies: GBP
  • Interest / Cash Back: 3.85% AER on travel funds
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Instant notifications
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Extra – £3/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: Same as Standard
  • Cash Withdrawal: Same as Standard
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Same as Standard
  • Currencies: GBP
  • Interest / Cash Back: 3.85% AER on travel funds
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Instant notifications
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Perks – £7/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: Same as Standard
  • Cash Withdrawal: Unlimited fee-free in EEA, £600/month outside
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Same as Standard
  • Currencies: GBP
  • Interest / Cash Back: 4.35% AER on travel funds
  • Travel Benefits: Annual Railcard
  • Notifications: Instant notifications
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Max – £17/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: Same as Standard
  • Cash Withdrawal: Same as Perks
  • Currency Conversion Fee: Same as Standard
  • Currencies: GBP
  • Interest / Cash Back: 4.35% AER on travel funds
  • Travel Benefits: Annual Railcard, travel insurance
  • Notifications: Instant notifications
  • Split Bills: Yes


Revolut

Plan: Standard – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: If converted by Revolut: 1.99%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free up to £200 ( or 5 withdrawals comes first) per month and 2% fee for each ATM withdrawal after
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 1% fee on exchanges over £1,000
  • Currencies: 29+ currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: Up to 2.29% AER
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Notifications on transactions
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Plus – £3.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: If converted by Revolut: 1.99%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free up to £200 per month and 2% fee for each ATM withdrawal after
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 0.5% fee on exchanges over £3,000
  • Currencies: 29+ currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: Up to 2.39% AER
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Notifications on transactions
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Premium – £7.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: If converted by Revolut: 1.49%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free up to £400 per month and 2% fee for each ATM withdrawal after
  • Currency Conversion Fee: No fees on weekdays
  • Currencies: 29+ currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: Up to 3% AER
  • Travel Benefits: Discounted airport lounge access
  • Notifications: Notifications on transactions
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Metal – £14.99/month

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: If converted by Revolut: 1.49%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free up to £800 per month and 2% fee for each ATM withdrawal after
  • Currency Conversion Fee: No fees on weekdays
  • Currencies: 29+ currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: Up to 4% AER
  • Travel Benefits: Various insurances, discounted lounge access
  • Notifications: Notifications on transactions
  • Split Bills: Yes

Plan: Ultra – £45/month (introductory offer)

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: If converted by Revolut: 1.49%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Free up to £2000 per month and 2% fee for each ATM withdrawal after
  • Currency Conversion Fee: No fees on weekdays
  • Currencies: 29+ currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: Up to 4.75% AER
  • Travel Benefits: Unlimited lounge access, various insurances
  • Notifications: Notifications on transactions
  • Split Bills: Yes


Starling

Plan: Personal Current Account – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Cash Withdrawal: Unlimited fee-free abroad
  • Currency Conversion Fee: 0.4% conversion fee
  • Currencies: GBP, EUR, USD
  • Interest / Cash Back: 3.25% AER on balances up to £5,000
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Instant notifications
  • Split Bills: Yes


Travelex

Plan: Travelex Money Card – Free

  • Non-Sterling Transaction Fee: 5.75%
  • Cash Withdrawal: Daily limit £500
  • Currency Conversion Fee: MasterCard exchange rate
  • Currencies: 22 currencies
  • Interest / Cash Back: N/A
  • Travel Benefits: N/A
  • Notifications: Instant card freeze option
  • Split Bills: N/A


Top Tips for Travelers:

FAQs

What is the best finance app for travelers?

The best app depends on your needs, but Chase, Revolut, and Monzo are highly recommended for their travel-friendly features.

Are there fees for cash withdrawals abroad?

Most apps charge fees, but some like Currensea and Starling offer fee-free options.

Can I use these apps for currency conversion?

Yes, many apps offer competitive rates for currency conversion, but always check their fee structures.

Is it safe to use finance apps abroad?

Generally, yes, but ensure your app has strong security features, such as two-factor authentication.

How can I avoid ATM fees while traveling?

Opt for local currency when withdrawing cash and choose ATMs that belong to your bank’s network.

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