Imagin vs Revolut
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Neobanks fits you best.
💰 Pricing
- ATM withdrawal at non-CaixaBank ATMs: Spain: 2 EUR per withdrawal; Eurozone: 2 EUR; International: 4 EUR (free in Premium and Metal tiers up to limits).
- FX conversion fee: 2% above the interbank rate for non-EUR transactions (may be reduced for Premium and Metal tiers, e.g., 1% and 0% respectively).
- Card replacement fee: 5 EUR for standard delivery (free for Premium and Metal customers).
- International transfer via SWIFT: 18 EUR per transaction (free or reduced for Premium/Metal).
- Foreign currency ATM withdrawal: 2% conversion fee plus potential ATM operator fee (e.g., 2 EUR outside CaixaBank network).
- ATM fees at non-CaixaBank ATMs: not clearly advertised; 2 EUR in Spain, up to 4 EUR abroad.
- FX markup: 2% on all non-EUR transactions, which is on top of any ATM operator fees.
- Inactivity fee: account may be charged 1 EUR monthly if no transactions for 6 months (waived for Premium/Metal).
- Cashback restrictions: cashback is only at partner merchants and may have monthly caps.
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Zero fees across the board: No monthly maintenance, no minimum balance, and the virtual card is issued for free. This is a significant advantage over traditional Spanish banks, which often levy fees for basic services. Your money goes further with Imagin.
- Gamified savings challenges: Imagin turns saving into a game. You can set personalized challenges, such as 'Save €500 by walking 10,000 steps a day', and track progress. This engages younger users who might otherwise neglect saving, building a strong financial habit.
- Cashback at partner merchants: Earn money back on purchases at curated brands like Amazon, Netflix, and local cafes. The cashback is paid as 'imagin coins' that can be converted to euros. It's a tangible benefit that adds up over time, making everyday spending feel less painful.
- Virtual and physical cards with instant use: Once the account is open, you get a virtual card immediately, usable for online and mobile payments. A physical card is also free and arrives quickly. This is great for online shopping and contactless payments.
- Integration with CaixaBank ecosystem: Since Imagin is backed by CaixaBank, it benefits from a large ATM network (no fees for withdrawals) and reliable transaction processing. You also get access to CaixaBank's security and regulatory compliance, which builds trust.
⚠ Watch out for
- Only for Spanish residents: You need a valid Spanish ID (NIE or DNI) to open an account. Non-residents and expats are excluded, which limits its appeal for the many digital nomads and international students in Spain.
- Spanish-only app: The entire user interface is in Spanish, with no option for English or other languages. This is a major barrier for non-Spanish speakers, making it difficult to navigate and understand the app's features.
- Customer support can be slow: Support is only through in-app chat (no phone or email), and response times can lag, especially during peak hours. Users have reported waiting a day or more for a resolution, which is frustrating for urgent issues like card blocking.
- No branches and limited advanced features: As a digital-only bank, there's no face-to-face service. While that's expected, Imagin also lacks more advanced offerings like investments, budgeting categories, or joint accounts, which some users may need as they grow financially.
- Withdrawal fees at non-CaixaBank ATMs: While ATM withdrawals are free at CaixaBank ATMs, using other networks in Spain can incur a fee. This is common, but it's a hidden cost to be aware of if you live in an area with few CaixaBank ATMs.
🎯 Best for
Young Spanish residents and Gen Z or millennial users who want a no-cost, mobile-centric banking experience with gamified saving tools and cashback incentives.
🚫 Who should skip
Non-residents of Spain, expats who need an account in English, or anyone looking for a traditional branch-based banking relationship with personal advice and mortgage/brokerage services.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app is intuitive and onboarding takes just a few minutes, though understanding all the gamified challenges and cashback offers may take a brief look around.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Imagin is an excellent choice for Spanish residents in their 20s who want a fee-free, mobile-first banking app with a rewards-driven approach to saving and spending. If you're not a Spanish resident or you need more comprehensive banking services, like investments or joint accounts, you should look
💰 Pricing
- FX markup: 0% on weekdays within free exchange allowance (Standard: 3 free per month, then 0.5% markup; Premium and Metal: unlimited, but weekend markup of 0.15% for Premium/Metal, 0.5% for Standard).
- ATM fee: 2% of withdrawal amount after exceeding monthly free limit (Standard: $1,000; Premium: $2,000; Metal: $3,000; Ultra: unlimited).
- International transfer fee: Standard: 0.5% (min $0.50, max $50?) ; Premium: free up to $10,000/month, then 0.5%; Metal: free up to $20,000/month, then 0.5%; Ultra: free unlimited.
- Card replacement fee: Standard: $10 (or local equivalent) if lost or stolen; Premium: free (one per year) then $10; Metal: free (one per year) then $10; Ultra: free.
- Crypto trading fee: variable, typically 1.5% per trade (standard) or lower (0.75% for metal/ultra?)
- Weekend FX markup: Revolut applies a 0.5% markup on weekend currency exchange for Standard, and 0.15% for Premium/Metal (Ultra: 0%) – even if you have exceeded your free exchange allowance.
- ATM fee after limit: 2% after free monthly limit; some ATMs may charge their own fee, which Revolut does not reimburse.
- Card delivery fee: Standard may charge for delivery (e.g., $10) unless you upgrade or order during promotional period.
- Inactivity fee: Not charged monthly, but if you don't use the card for 12 months, card might be deactivated (with reactivation fee?).
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Revolut's multi-currency accounts with local IBANs are a massive advantage. You can open a EUR account with a Lithuanian IBAN, a GBP account with a UK IBAN, and a USD account with a US account number (in some regions). This makes it seamless to receive salary or payments in different currencies without paying high conversion fees. For freelancers and remote workers, this is a killer feature.
- The interbank exchange rate on weekdays is a huge cost saver. Unlike traditional banks that add a 2-3% margin, Revolut uses the actual market rate. On the free plan, you can exchange up to £1,000 per month without extra fees, which is plenty for most travelers. The app also shows you the exact rate before you confirm, so there are no surprises.
- The budgeting tools are surprisingly robust for a digital bank. You can categorize transactions (groceries, transport, entertainment) automatically or manually, set monthly budgets, and get spending insights. This is on par with dedicated budgeting apps like YNAB, and it's built-in for free.
- Virtual cards are a standout security feature. You can create a virtual card for online shopping, and even disposable virtual cards that generate a new card number each time. This protects you from fraud if a merchant's database is compromised, and it's a feature that traditional banks rarely offer for free.
- The crypto and stock trading features are convenient for beginners. You can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and dozens of other coins directly in the app, and trade US stocks with fractional shares. However, spreads are wider than on dedicated exchanges like Coinbase or Degiro, so serious investors should look elsewhere.
⚠ Watch out for
- Customer support is a major pain point. In-app chat is the primary channel, and response times can be hours or even days for anything beyond basic questions. There's no phone support on most plans, and the chatbot often fails to handle complex issues like account freezes or disputed charges. This has led to numerous complaints on Trustpilot and social media.
- Account freezes for compliance checks are a real risk. Revolut's automated anti-fraud algorithms can flag unusual activity (like large transfers or new login devices) and freeze your account for weeks while they investigate. While this is a legal requirement in some cases, the lack of proactive communication and slow resolution times is frustrating for users who rely on the account for daily spending.
- Hidden fees can sneak up on you. The free plan has a £200/month ATM withdrawal limit, after which you'll pay 2% (or more on weekends). If you exchange on weekends, there's a 1% fee. Crypto trades have spreads that are 1-2% above the market rate, which is higher than dedicated exchanges. You need to read the fee schedule carefully to avoid surprises.
- Revolut is not a full replacement for a traditional bank. Deposits are not covered by the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the same way — only up to £85,000 for money in your e-money account under certain conditions (actually, Revolut is a licensed bank in Lithuania, but the protections differ in other countries). You also can't get a mortgage or overdraft from Revolut, and there's no option for physical cash deposits beyond loading with cash at certain partner stores.
🎯 Best for
Revolut is ideal for travelers, freelancers, and digital nomads who need a cheap, flexible, multi-currency spending card with manageable FX and global payments.
🚫 Who should skip
People looking for a full-fledged primary bank with reliable customer support, complete deposit protection, and comprehensive financial products (mortgages, large loans) should skip Revolut. Also, active traders are better off with dedicated stock/crypto brokerages.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app has a modern, intuitive interface and you can start using core features within minutes. Understanding the exact pricing structure and country-specific features may take some digging.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Revolut is an excellent choice for travelers, freelancers, and digital nomads who need flexible multi-currency capabilities and low FX fees. However, if you require reliable human support, robust deposit insurance, or the stability of a traditional bank for all your banking needs, you should keep a
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Imagin if...
- You are: Young Spanish residents and Gen Z or millennial users who want a no-cost, mobile-centric banking experience with gamifie
- 👍 Completely free account: no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance, and no issuance fee for th
- 👍 Gamified savings experience: the app turns savings goals into interactive challenges, helping users
- 👍 Cashback at partner merchants: users get real money back on purchases at a curated list of brands, a
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Limited to Spanish residents: the account is not available for non-residents, an
Choose Revolut if...
- You are: Revolut is ideal for travelers, freelancers, and digital nomads who need a cheap, flexible, multi-currency spending card
- 👍 Real multi-currency accounts with local IBANs in many countries, making international transfers and
- 👍 Competitive FX rates (interbank rate on weekdays) with a user-friendly app that shows real-time conv
- 👍 Extensive feature set even on the free plan: virtual cards, budgeting, crypto, stocks, and peer-to-p
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Customer support is notoriously slow in many regions, with in-app chat often bei
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Imagin really free?
Yes, the basic Imagin account has no monthly maintenance fees, and it does not charge for standard account setup or a virtual card. Some optional services, like certain ATM withdrawals or foreign currency transactions, may have associated costs, so it's worth checking the fee schedule.
Do I need to be a CaixaBank customer to open an Imagin account?
No, you don't need to be a CaixaBank customer. Imagin is a separate digital banking app, although it is owned by CaixaBank. You can open an account directly through the Imagin app with your Spanish ID or residence information.
Is Imagin available outside Spain?
Imagin is designed for residents of Spain and is primarily available to Spanish residents. It offers international card usage, but account opening requires Spanish residency or being an expat living in Spain. The app is mainly in Spanish, which is a limitation for non-Spanish speakers.
Can I get a physical card?
Imagin primarily offers a virtual card, but you can also request a physical debit card through the app. There may be a delivery cost or a need to meet certain conditions for the physical card; the virtual card is free and works with mobile payments.
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