PayPal vs Revolut (2026): Which Is Better for Receiving International Payments in India?
- Author:
- Manoj Sharma
- Verified by:
- Editorial team
- Published:
- Last modified:
Short answer
The better choice depends on how your clients pay and which documents you need. Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. PayPal is best for receiving card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas buyers who already use PayPal. Revolut is best for Indian residents spending in INR and abroad with a prepaid wallet and forex card.
| Use case | Better option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Invoices around $2,000 | Not comparable | Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. |
| Invoices around $5,000 | Not comparable | Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. |
| Invoices around $10,000 | Not comparable | Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. |
| Need: receiving card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas buyers who already use PayPal | PayPal | PayPal is built for this. |
| Need: Indian residents spending in INR and abroad with a prepaid wallet and forex card | Revolut | Revolut is built for this. |
At the mid-market rate
₹4,74,319
Highest payout: PayPal
₹4,36,056
- 1.PayPal₹4,36,056cost 8.07%
1 USD = 94.86 INR, ECB reference rate for 4 Nov 2026. Payout = amount minus fees, converted at the reference rate minus each platform's markup, minus 18% GST on fees where charged. Platforms without published pricing are left out.
How do PayPal and Revolut compare at a glance?
| Attribute | PayPal | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Fees | 4.40% + USD 0.30 per international payment; fixed fee varies | Not confirmed; India terms bar business use |
| FX markup | 3.0% above PayPal's base rate on conversion | Not confirmed for inward payments |
| Settlement | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| FIRA | Free weekly FIRA; custom Rs 100 + 18% GST each | Not confirmed; not mentioned on India pages |
| Currencies | Receives USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, others; states 130+ currencies | INR wallet; forex card in 30+ currencies, 130+ countries |
| RBI status | PA-CB in-principle authorisation granted; final not confirmed | States RBI PPI and AD Category-II licences; not PA-CB |
| Indian individuals | Yes, Indian residents 18+, PAN and video KYC | Personal account only; receiving payments not confirmed |
| Indian businesses | Yes, proprietors, partnerships, LLPs and companies | Not confirmed; terms bar business use |
| Limits | Export payments above USD 10,000 per transaction are a restricted activity under the PayPal India user agreement. Other limits not confirmed. | Not confirmed. The personal terms say Revolut may set limits on UPI receipts and payments and that limits are shown in the app. |
How much INR do you receive on $2,000, $5,000 and $10,000 with PayPal vs Revolut?
Each row applies the platform's published fee, FX markup and GST on the fee to the XE mid-market rate for 4 Nov 2026.
| Platform and invoice | Fee | FX markup | GST | INR received | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal, $2,000 | ₹8,376 | ₹5,441 | ₹1,508 | ₹1,74,403 | 8.08% | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| PayPal, $5,000 | ₹20,898 | ₹13,603 | ₹3,762 | ₹4,36,056 | 8.07% | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| PayPal, $10,000 | ₹41,769 | ₹27,206 | ₹7,518 | ₹8,72,145 | 8.06% | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Revolut, $2,000 | – | – | – | Not published | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Revolut, $5,000 | – | – | – | Not published | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Revolut, $10,000 | – | – | – | Not published | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
What is PayPal and who is it for?
PayPal is a global digital wallet and checkout provider. In India it operates through PayPal Payments Private Limited, which offers Export Payment Services that let India-resident individuals and businesses receive payments from buyers outside India for the export of goods and services. Received funds are converted and credited to the user's linked Indian bank account through an authorised dealer bank.
- Regulated by: PA-CB in-principle authorisation granted to PayPal Payments Private Limited (RBI application status list, as on 01.10.2026)
- Used by: Yes. Businesses organised in, operating in or resident in India can open a business account (sole proprietors, partnerships/LLPs, companies).
- Best for: Receiving card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas buyers who already use PayPal
What is Revolut and who is it for?
Revolut operates in India through Revolut Payments India Private Limited, which issues a prepaid INR wallet, a domestic card and UPI, and Revolut Forex India Private Limited, which issues multi-currency forex cards. The India product is presented as a spending account for Indian residents aged 18 and over. The India site and terms do not describe a way for freelancers or exporters to receive payments from foreign clients.
- Regulated by: States it is RBI-authorised to issue PPIs (COA No. 224/2025) via Revolut Payments India, and that Revolut Forex India holds an AD Category-II licence (MUM-ADII-0963-2024); not a PA-CB
- Used by: Not confirmed. The India site lists no business account, and the personal terms bar business use.
- Best for: Indian residents spending in INR and abroad with a prepaid wallet and forex card
How do PayPal and Revolut fees and FX markup compare?
What does PayPal charge?
| Fee type | Amount | When it applies | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving: PayPal payment (balance, card or linked method) from a buyer outside India | 4.40% + fixed fee by currency (USD 0.30) | Fixed fee examples: EUR 0.35, GBP 0.20, CAD 0.30, AUD 0.30 | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Receiving: Local bank account details (ACH, SEPA etc.) for Indian users | Not confirmed | No such option found on PayPal India's official pages | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Currency conversion to INR | 3.0% above PayPal's base exchange rate when converting payments received into another currency | When foreign currency is converted | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Payout to an Indian bank | Funds are credited to the linked Indian bank account via the authorised dealer bank. Standard withdrawal to a bank account is free when no currency conversion is involved; conversion of received foreign-currency payments costs 3.0% above the base rate. A failed withdrawal due to incorrect bank details costs 250.00 (currency as shown on the fees page). Timing is not confirmed. | When INR is sent to your account | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Standard dispute fee | USD 8.00 (INR 580.00 for INR transactions) | – | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| High volume dispute fee | USD 16.00 (INR 1,160.00) | – | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Bank return on failed withdrawal | 250.00 (currency as shown on fees page) | – | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Refunds | No fee to refund, but the original receiving fees are not returned | – | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Custom FIRA | INR 100 + 18% GST per transaction (up to 20), or INR 2,000 + 18% GST for more than 20 transactions | – | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| GST on fees | PayPal's India user agreement states its fees are exclusive of taxes and that GST-registered merchants receive a PayPal tax invoice and can claim input tax credit via GSTR 2B. Custom FIRA charges carry 18% GST. | Applies to the platform's fee | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
What does Revolut charge?
| Fee type | Amount | When it applies | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving: Top up INR wallet from own Indian bank or card via UPI, net banking or external card | UPI 0%; Netbanking 1.28% + GST; Debit Card 0.30% + GST; Credit Card 1.63% + GST (Standard plan fee schedule) | Domestic top-up only. Funds to a currency account must come from the same bank account given during verification. | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Receiving: Receive money from other Revolut or non-Revolut wallets and bank accounts in India | Not confirmed | Described in the personal terms for the INR PPI wallet; not an international receiving method. | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Receiving: International bank transfer (SWIFT or local foreign account details) from a foreign client | Not confirmed | Not offered on the Revolut India site or terms as of 2026-10-06. | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Currency conversion to INR | Not confirmed for inward payments; the India site does not publish an inward conversion rate | When foreign currency is converted | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Payout to an Indian bank | Not confirmed. Revolut India does not describe converting foreign client payments to INR or paying them out to an Indian bank account. | When INR is sent to your account | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Plus plan | ₹499/year plus taxes | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Premium plan | ₹2,499/year plus taxes | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Metal plan | ₹9,999/year plus taxes | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| Standard plan | Free | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| First Revolut Card (Standard plan) | ₹199, plus applicable GST | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| ATM withdrawal (Standard plan) | 2% of the withdrawal amount or ₹150, whichever is lower, plus GST as applicable | – | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
| GST on fees | Paid plan prices are shown plus taxes, and the Standard fee schedule lists wallet top-up and card fees plus GST. GST on any receiving fee is not confirmed because no receiving fee is published. | Applies to the platform's fee | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
How do PayPal and Revolut compare on settlement speed?
- PayPal: Not confirmed
- Revolut: Not confirmed. No inward international settlement to an Indian bank account is described on the India site
| Platform | Settlement to India | Payout route | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Not confirmed | Free to Indian bank without conversion; 3.0% if converting; timing not confirmed | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Revolut | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
Do PayPal and Revolut provide FIRA and e-BRC, and are they RBI PA-CB authorised?
| Platform | FIRA and e-BRC | RBI status | Checked | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Free weekly FIRA; custom Rs 100 + 18% GST each | PA-CB in-principle authorisation granted; final not confirmed | 30 Sept 2026 | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Revolut | Not confirmed; not mentioned on India pages | States RBI PPI and AD Category-II licences; not PA-CB | 30 Sept 2026 | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
Which currencies, countries and payment methods do PayPal and Revolut support?
| Platform | Currencies | Payment methods | Indian individuals | Indian businesses | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Receives USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, others; states 130+ currencies | PayPal payment (balance, card or linked method) from a buyer outside India; Local bank account details (ACH, SEPA etc.) for Indian users | Yes, Indian residents 18+, PAN and video KYC | Yes, proprietors, partnerships, LLPs and companies | Card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas PayPal buyers |
| Revolut | INR wallet; forex card in 30+ currencies, 130+ countries | Top up INR wallet from own Indian bank or card via UPI, net banking or external card; Receive money from other Revolut or non-Revolut wallets and bank accounts in India; International bank transfer (SWIFT or local foreign account details) from a foreign client | Personal account only; receiving payments not confirmed | Not confirmed; terms bar business use | Indian residents using an INR wallet and forex card |
What are the strengths and limitations of PayPal and Revolut?
PayPal
- Buyer reach: PayPal states access to up to 400 million active accounts globally
- Free FIRA: Weekly Digital FIRA is free to download since Feb 2026
- Regulatory status: listed by RBI with in-principle PA-CB authorisation
- Card acceptance: the user agreement covers payments made through PayPal guest checkout and card chargebacks, so buyers need not hold a PayPal balance
- Cost: 4.40% + fixed fee plus a 3.0% conversion markup is high for large invoices
- Transaction cap: export payments above USD 10,000 per transaction are a restricted activity under the India user agreement
- Disputes: dispute fees of USD 8 (standard) or USD 16 (high volume) can apply, and fees are not returned on refunds
- Holds: PayPal may hold funds for up to 180 days in risk or policy cases
Revolut
- Regulated Indian entities: the site states a PPI authorisation and an AD Category-II forex licence from the RBI
- Travel spending: a multi-currency card for spending abroad across 30+ currencies, as stated on the India site
- Domestic payments: UPI and a domestic card in one app
- Free entry plan: a Standard plan with no annual fee
- No inward remittance product: the India site and terms describe no way to receive a foreign client's payment and convert it to INR
- No business use: the personal terms state a Revolut Account cannot be used for business purposes
- INR only wallet: the terms state PPIs can only be used for payments in Indian Rupees
- No FIRA: no inward remittance documentation is mentioned
Should you choose PayPal or Revolut?
- Choose PayPal if: you need receiving card and PayPal-wallet payments from overseas buyers who already use PayPal.
- Choose Revolut if: you need Indian residents spending in INR and abroad with a prepaid wallet and forex card.
For example, an exporter billing $5,000 a month: Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does.
Which other platforms should you consider besides PayPal and Revolut?
Other covered platforms ranked by the INR received on a $5,000 invoice.
| Platform | Fees | FX markup | FIRA | INR on $5,000 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skydo | $19 up to $2,000, $29 to $10,000, 0.3% above + GST | States zero FX margin at live rate | States instant, free FIRA per payment | ₹4,71,073 | Indian freelancers and exporters receiving mid to large B2B invoices |
| Razorpay | 1% per bank transfer (Rs 1,000 flat below Rs 1,00,000) + GST | States 0% markup on MoneySaver at live rate | FIRS within 24 hours of settlement; no charge listed | ₹4,68,722 | Indian businesses and freelancers on Razorpay invoicing foreign clients |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | No inward, FIRC, SWIFT fee on current accounts; GST on conversion | Card rate, markup not published; 1.71% below mid-market on 7 Oct 2026 | Nil FIRC on current accounts; savings Rs 100 or nil | ₹4,65,700 | Service exporters wanting a current account without inward remittance fees |
| HDFC Bank | No inward charge; physical FIRC INR 200 + taxes; GST on conversion | Card rate ~1.79% below mid-market on 6 Oct 2026; markup unpublished | Physical FIRC INR 200; emailed advice free for trade | ₹4,65,321 | Existing HDFC customers wanting free SWIFT receipts or EEFC accounts |
How did we verify this?
Fees, FIRA terms and RBI status were checked on each platform's own pages and RBI sources on 30 Sept 2026. INR figures use the XE mid-market rate for 4 Nov 2026. The formula is on the methodology page.
- PayPal India Merchant Fees, Receiving international transactions; Currency Conversions (3.0% converting balance and payments received; 4.00% all other cases); Withdrawals Out of PayPal; Dispute Fees; Other Fees (Last Updated 28 March 2024) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- PayPal India User Agreement, About our main business (Export Payment Services); Opening an Account; Restricted Activities (USD 10,000); Holds (180 days); Dispute Fee (guest checkout); Taxes and Information Reporting (GST) (last updated 13 January 2025) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- PayPal India Foreign Inward Remittance Advise (FIRA) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- PayPal India Know Your Customer (KYC) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- PayPal India Business (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- RBI: Status of Applications received under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (as on 01.10.2026), Table D: Existing PAs-CB which can operate as Payment Aggregator- Cross Border (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India home page, Eligibility (Indian residents aged 18+); plan prices; footer legal entity and RBI PPI and AD-II statements (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India spending account (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India personal terms, PPIs only for payments in Indian Rupees; foreign currency services via affiliates; no business use; KYC under RBI guidelines; UPI receipt and payment limits shown in the app; top-up methods (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India products legal index (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India Multi-Currency Cards Terms and Conditions, Eligibility: Indian citizen, resident in India, Indian passport, PAN and Aadhaar; loading funds by bank transfer (NEFT, IMPS, RTGS) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India Help Centre: Add money with a bank transfer (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India Personal Fees (Standard), Add money fees, card fee, ATM fee; no inward international payment fee listed (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Revolut India fees index (checked 6 Oct 2026)
FAQs about PayPal vs Revolut
Is PayPal or Revolut cheaper for receiving USD in India?
Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. At $2,000: Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. At $10,000: Revolut does not publish full pricing; PayPal does. Figures use each platform's published pricing and today's reference rate, so check both pricing pages before you decide.
Which is faster, PayPal or Revolut?
PayPal states: Not confirmed. Revolut states: Not confirmed. No inward international settlement to an Indian bank account is described on the India site. Actual timing also depends on the payment method your client uses, cut-off times and bank holidays, so allow extra time for the first payment on either platform.
Do PayPal and Revolut both provide a FIRA?
PayPal: Weekly Digital FIRA free to download from the PayPal business account since Feb 2026; Custom FIRA via Citibank at INR 100 + 18% GST per transaction (up to 20 transactions) or INR 2,000 + 18% GST for more than 20 transactions. Revolut: Not confirmed. No FIRA or FIRC is mentioned on Revolut India pages.
Are PayPal and Revolut authorised by RBI?
PayPal: PA-CB in-principle authorisation granted to PayPal Payments Private Limited (RBI application status list, as on 01.10.2026). Revolut: States it is RBI-authorised to issue PPIs (COA No. 224/2025) via Revolut Payments India, and that Revolut Forex India holds an AD Category-II licence (MUM-ADII-0963-2024); not a PA-CB.
Can Indian freelancers use both PayPal and Revolut?
PayPal, individuals: Yes. Individuals must be resident in India and at least 18; a personal account can receive payments for goods and services, though PayPal recommends a business account for those who primarily sell. KYC includes the original PAN card and video KYC. Revolut, individuals: Indian residents aged 18 and over can open a personal spending account.
Should I switch from PayPal to Revolut?
Switch only if Revolut pays more on your usual invoice size or fits how your clients pay. Keep the PayPal account open until every invoice sent with its details is paid, and download your FIRA or FIRC records first. Check the platform's own pricing page before relying on these figures.