Alpian and Revolut both offer a free multi-currency account and a very comprehensive app, but everything else differs: support, daily use, level of personalization, and flexibility.
Should you prefer the premium Swiss bank or the international fintech designed for globetrotters? Here is our complete comparison of Alpian vs Revolut in 2025.
- free
- 🇨🇭
- CH IBAN
Exchange fees ✔︎
Premium service ✔︎
No native eBill ✘
- free
- 🇨🇭 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇮🇹 🌍
- GB IBAN
Exchange fees ✔︎
Free transfers ✔︎
Weekend exchange rate markup ✘
Limited use in Switzerland ✘
Alpian vs Revolut – At-A-Glance Overview ⚡️
| Criteria | Advantages |
| Fees card | Revolut |
| Use in Switzerland | Alpian |
| Exchange payments abroad | Revolut |
| App features | Tie |
| Customer service | Alpian |
| Security deposit guarantee | Alpian |
| Investment trading | Tie |
Fees Card: when is it Really Free with Revolut vs Alpian?
Basic fees
With Alpian, the bank account is free. Only the physical card is chargeable: 60 CHF as a one-time fee, unless you deposit 50,000 CHF or more. Virtual cards, however, are offered for free.
Revolut offers a free standard account. The card is also free, but delivery costs around 6 CHF. Premium and Metal plans are chargeable.
Point awarded: tie
Withdrawals in Switzerland: Revolut is more Flexible
Alpian charges 2 CHF from the first withdrawal in Switzerland. There is no free quota.
Revolut offers up to “5 free withdrawals (up to 200 CHF/month)”, then 2% fees. Advantageous for occasional use.
Point awarded: Revolut
Withdrawals abroad
With Revolut, international withdrawals follow exactly the same rules as those in Switzerland: 5 withdrawals or 200 CHF/month free, then 2% beyond. However, some local banks may apply additional fees (outside Revolut’s control).
Alpian, for its part, charges 2 CHF per withdrawal, anywhere in the world, without a free quota, which makes it unsuitable for frequent international use.
Point awarded: Revolut
Summary – Fees Card
| Compared criterion | Advantage to |
| Basic fees | tie |
| Withdrawals in Switzerland | Revolut |
| Withdrawals abroad | Revolut |
Result: 3 points for Revolut, 1 point for Alpian
Fees and card: Revolut has the advantage
Use in Switzerland: CH IBAN, QR-bills, eBill, TWINT
In Switzerland, being able to pay bills, use QR-bills, or TWINT is essential. Therefore, no comparison is possible:
IBAN
Alpian offers a personal Swiss IBAN, which allows for seamless receipt of salary, payment of taxes, or health insurance. This is a frequent requirement from Swiss employers or Swiss service providers.
Revolut does not provide an individual CH IBAN: CHF transfers are possible via a generic IBAN held by Credit Suisse. This works, but some administrations or insurance companies may refuse this type of IBAN or impose fees.
QR-bills and eBill: Only with Alpian
Alpian accepts QR transfers, standing orders, and transfers between Swiss individuals. However, there is no eBill or TWINT compatibility yet.
Revolut allows CHF payments, but its lack of integration with eBill or Swiss QR-bills limits classic Swiss uses.
Point awarded: Alpian
TWINT
Alpian uses a prepaid version of TWINT via the Mastercard, compatible with the TWINT app of certain third-party banks. This allows Alpian to be partially connected to TWINT. However, there is no native solution with a dedicated TWINT app.
Revolut offers no compatibility with TWINT. This is an obvious shortcoming in Switzerland.
Point awarded: Alpian
Summary – Use in Switzerland
| Compared criterion | Advantage to |
| IBAN Transfers | Alpian |
| eBill | tie |
| QR-bills | Alpian |
| TWINT | Alpian |
Result: Alpian scores 3 points, Revolut 0
Use in Switzerland: Alpian has the advantage
Exchange payments abroad
Can these cards be used abroad without paying excessive fees?
Exchange Rate: Revolut Remains Unbeatable (within Limits)
Revolut applies an interbank exchange rate without fees up to “1,000 CHF/month, then charges 0.5% on the excess. On weekends, a 1% surcharge is applied to all conversions. This is very competitive, but on condition of staying within the quota and avoiding weekend conversions.”
Alpian: No Free Tier but a Stable Rate
With Alpian, there is no free quota: each exchange operation is charged according to a fixed margin. No variation between weekdays and weekends, which ensures a certain predictability — but no bonus for small users.
Payments in Foreign Currencies: Revolut Has the Advantage (Except on Weekends)
Revolut applies the same rules to payments as to conversions. Up to “1,000 CHF/month, you can pay abroad without fees on weekdays. Beyond that or during the weekend, the surcharge applies.”
With Alpian, each payment in foreign currency is subject to a commission. This can quickly accumulate for everyday purchases or travel payments.
| Bank | Exchange rates | Payments in foreign currency | Weekend surcharges |
| Alpian | Fixed margin | Chargeable | No |
| Revolut | 0% ≤ 1,000 CHF/month, then 0.5% | Free ≤ 1,000 CHF/month | +1% |
Point awarded: Revolut (with conditions)
Exchange international payments: Revolut has the advantage
Transfers Multi-Currency
Number of Currencies Available
Alpian allows holding up to 4 currencies: CHF, EUR, USD, and GBP. This is sufficient for current needs, but it remains limited.
Revolut goes much further: up to 36 currencies are available in the account. This allows holding, converting, and sending amounts in almost all major currencies (JPY, AUD, SEK, etc.).
SEPA and International Transfers
With Alpian, transfers in Switzerland (in CHF) are free and fast. Foreign currency transfers abroad are possible but charged, with fees depending on the destination and the recipient bank.
Revolut allows SEPA transfers for free, and international transfers (outside SEPA) are also possible, often with reduced fees compared to traditional banks. However, some fees may be added depending on the currency and the chosen method (SWIFT or not).
Example: Sending 1,000 EUR to a Friend in Europe
With Revolut, the transfer is instant, free, and converted at the correct rate (if within quota). With Alpian, the transfer is possible but subject to fixed fees.
| Bank | Currencies available | Local CHF transfer | SEPA transfer | International transfer | EUR IBAN |
| Alpian | 4 (CHF, EUR, USD, GBP) | ✔️ Free | ✔️ (chargeable) | ✔️ (chargeable) | ✔️ |
| Revolut | Up to 36 | ✔️ (via Credit Suisse) | ✔️ Free | ✔️ (reduced fees) | ✔️ |
| Criterion | Point awarded |
| Transfers multi-currency | Revolut |
Point awarded: Revolut
Transfers and multi-currency: Revolut has the advantage
Alpian App User Experience vs Revolut
App Usability. Alpian
The Alpian app focuses on a clean interface. Menus are simple, banking functions are easy to access, and the overall experience evokes that of a private bank. Navigation is fluid, with excellent French translation. Ideal for those seeking a distraction-free experience.
App Usability. Revolut
Revolut offers a feature-rich app: sub-accounts, analytics, virtual cards, instant exchange, crypto, cashback, cards for children… It’s comprehensive, but it can be confusing. It sometimes takes several steps to access a basic function.
Point awarded: tie
User Experience: tie
Customer Service: What Support in Case of a Problem?
Customer service is often decisive in case of an issue. Revolut and Alpian adopt different approaches, with a direct impact on the experience.
Alpian: an Advisor, but not 24/7
Alpian focuses on human interaction. Upon opening an account, you are connected with a certified advisor, available for regular discussions and investment recommendations. This personal connection allows for more structured support. However, classic support is only available from Monday to Friday, and the app does not offer 24/7 chat.
Revolut: Available 24/7, but less Personalized
Revolut offers an integrated chat accessible 24/7 for Premium or Metal clients. Users of the free plan have access to weekday support, with sometimes long delays. There is no personal advisor: each interaction is handled by a different agent, often based abroad.
Point awarded: Alpian
Customer Experience: Alpian has the advantage
Security Deposit Guarantee: how are Funds Protected?
Alpian: a Swiss Bank under FINMA Supervision
Alpian is a licensed Swiss bank, headquartered in Switzerland and regulated by FINMA. This means that assets up to 100,000 CHF are covered by the Swiss deposit guarantee scheme. In case of bankruptcy, this amount is protected by law.
Revolut: No Swiss Protection
Revolut has a banking license in Lithuania, which allows for guaranteeing EUR deposits up to 100,000 EUR according to European rules (DGSD directive). But this does not apply to CHF deposits, which are neither covered by esissuisse nor protected locally. This is an important point for those who primarily hold Swiss francs.
Point awarded: Alpian
Security Deposit Guarantee: Alpian has the advantage
Investment Trading: which Offering Suits which Profile?
Alpian Offers a Comprehensive Investment Solution
Alpian offers a managed investment service worthy of a private bank. From 2,000 CHF, you gain access to an actively managed ETF portfolio by experts according to a personalized mandate (risk profile, horizon, sustainability, etc.). Everything is done within the app: detailed tracking, calls with an advisor, strategy adjustment. The approach is global, structured, and designed for the medium/long term.
Revolut Offers a Supplementary Solution
Revolut offers a simplified trading function: purchase of US stocks, crypto, and metals via a fast interface. No advice or support, no personalization or long-term vision. You don’t directly own the assets, and the range is restricted. It’s a useful complement for getting started, but not a management solution.
| Bank | Approach | Available products | Tracking advice |
| Alpian | Managed investment | Diversified ETFs (mandate) | dedicated advisor |
| Revolut | Self-directed trading | US stocks, crypto, metals | no |
Point awarded: Alpian
Investment trading: Alpian has the advantage
Revolut vs Alpian: who Wins?
Two very contrasting banking approaches. Alpian is for those looking for a Swiss, stable solution, with a real investment service and a human advisor. Revolut will be better suited for nomadic, multi-currency use, with a feature-rich app and optimized fees.
| Criteria | Advantage |
| Fees card | Revolut |
| Use in Switzerland | Alpian |
| Exchange payments abroad | Revolut |
| Transfers multi-currency | Revolut |
| App features | Tie |
| Customer service | Alpian |
| Security deposit guarantee | Alpian |
| Investment trading | Alpian |
Alpian vs. Revolut: which Bank to Choose According to your Profile?
| User Profiles | Best Option |
| Simple, daily use | ✔︎ Revolut |
| Need a local CH IBAN | ✔︎ Alpian |
| Structured investment, with advice | ✔︎ Alpian |
| Frequent international payments and withdrawals | ✔︎ Revolut |
| Main account based in Switzerland | ✔︎ Alpian |
| Regular multi-currency exchange | ✔︎ Revolut |
| Feature-rich app | ✔︎ Revolut |
Alpian: main account, Swiss use, structured investment strategy.
Revolut: secondary account, international payments, regular exchange.
Conclusion Revolut vs. Alpian
Revolut will suit those looking for a simple, functional neobank with efficient multi-currency management and many additional features, but without a true CH IBAN.
Alpian is better suited for users seeking premium management, dedicated customer service, and reduced international fees.
By taking advantage of the right promo codes, there’s nothing to stop you from using both in parallel to leverage their respective strengths:
Alpian Promo Code
Free account ✔︎
Promo Code
Free account ✔︎
Check out the comparison of neobanks in Switzerland (2025) to compare Alpian and Revolut with other banks like Zak, Radicant, Yuh, N26, etc.
What Do You Think of Alpian Compared to Revolut?
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- How to help others choose the right bank between Revolut and Alpian?
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