My first week back in India after 12 years in the US was chaos.
I was at a coffee shop in Bangalore. Tried to pay with my US debit card. Declined. Tried my credit card. Declined again.
The cashier looked at me like I was trying to pay with Monopoly money.
That’s when I realized. International banking isn’t just convenient. It’s essential.
You need a card that works everywhere. Whether you’re buying coffee in Bangalore or booking hotels in Boston.
I tested both Niyo Global and Revolut extensively. Here’s what actually matters.
Why NRIs Need International Cards
When I worked at Citrix in Fort Lauderdale, banking was simple. One account. One card. Everything just worked.
Coming back changed that overnight.
Indian cards have forex markups. Foreign transaction fees. Terrible exchange rates. You lose 3% to 5% on every international transaction.
That adds up brutally fast.
My wife traveled to Singapore for a conference last year. She used our regular HDFC credit card. The forex charges on a $2000 bill? Almost $100.
That’s when we switched to international banking cards.
Platforms like Niyo Global and Revolut solve this. Zero forex markups. Real exchange rates. Cards that work globally.
If you’re managing money across borders, understanding how to transfer USD to INR with minimum charges is just the start.
The real win is having cards that don’t penalize you for being global.
The Side by Side Comparison
Here’s how they actually stack up.
| Feature | Niyo Global | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 100% digital, Indian residents only | 100% digital, multiple countries |
| KYC Process | Aadhaar + PAN based, 10 minutes | Passport/ID based, 15 minutes |
| Forex Markup | Zero | Zero |
| ATM Withdrawals | Free up to 3 per month | Free up to certain limits (plan dependent) |
| Supported Currencies | Multi-currency wallet | 28+ currencies |
| Monthly Fee | Free | Free (Standard), Paid tiers available |
| Card Type | Prepaid forex card | Debit card (multi-currency) |
| Availability | India residents only | 35+ countries including India |
| Crypto Support | No | Yes |
| Stock Trading | No | Yes (select markets) |
| Insurance | Travel insurance included | Optional add-ons |
Both cards are prepaid in nature. You load money. You spend it. No credit involved.
That’s actually good. No overspending temptation.
“The best international card is the one you’ll actually use without thinking about fees.”
Where Niyo Global Excels
Niyo Global is built specifically for Indian travelers and NRIs.
The card is issued by Equitas Small Finance Bank. That means it’s regulated by RBI. Your money sits in an Indian bank account.
For someone like me who returned to India and needed to set up banking again, this mattered.
The signup process is insanely simple. Aadhaar. PAN. Video KYC. Done in 10 minutes.
My younger son needed a card for his Singapore trip. We got him Niyo Global. The entire process happened while we were having lunch.
The app shows real time exchange rates. Before you load money, you know exactly what rate you’re getting.
No surprises.
Travel insurance is included automatically. Medical cover up to $50,000. Lost baggage. Flight delays. All covered without extra payments.
When my wife’s flight got delayed by 8 hours last year, Niyo reimbursed the hotel stay. No questions asked.
Quick Recap:
✅ Built for Indians
✅ Simple KYC process
✅ Free travel insurance
✅ RBI regulated
✅ Zero hidden charges
The customer support is solid too. I had an issue with a transaction in Dubai. Called them. Resolved in 15 minutes.
Where Revolut Wins
Revolut is a global fintech giant. Over 30 million users worldwide.
The platform isn’t just a card. It’s a full banking alternative.
You can hold 28+ currencies in your account. Switch between them instantly at interbank rates. That’s the rate banks use among themselves. The actual real rate.
When I was planning our family trip to Europe, I loaded Euros when the rate was good. Saved almost 4% compared to loading at the airport.
Revolut offers stock trading. Crypto trading. Commodities. All in one app.
I don’t use these features much. But my older son, who’s getting into investing, loves it. He can buy US stocks directly from his Revolut account.
The budgeting tools are excellent. The app categorizes every transaction. Shows you spending patterns. Helps set savings goals.
My wife uses this religiously. She tracks every rupee we spend internationally.
The metal card tiers offer lounge access. Cashback on transactions. Higher ATM withdrawal limits.
I upgraded to Premium last year. Worth it for the airport lounges alone.
💡Tip: If you travel more than twice a year internationally, the Premium plan pays for itself.
One thing that impressed me. Disposable virtual cards.
You can create a temporary card number for sketchy websites. If it gets compromised, delete it. Create a new one. Your main card stays safe.
I used this for booking a hotel in Thailand. The website looked dodgy. Used a disposable card. Hotel was fine. Card expired after checkout.
Peace of mind.
The Forex Rate Reality
Both platforms claim zero markup. That’s true.
But here’s what matters. The base rate they offer.
Niyo Global partners with Visa/Mastercard. You get their wholesale rates. Typically 0.3% to 0.5% better than regular bank cards.
Revolut offers interbank rates. The absolute best rates available. No markup at all.
I tested this. Loaded $1000 on both cards on the same day.
Niyo Global: Got it at 82.45 INR per USD. Revolut: Got it at 82.35 INR per USD.
Revolut was 10 paise better per dollar. On $1000, that’s a saving of 100 rupees.
Not life changing. But over time, it compounds.
🧠 My Take: For large forex conversions, Revolut edges ahead. For convenience and simplicity, Niyo Global wins.
Remember though. Exchange rates fluctuate. Sometimes Niyo might be better. Sometimes Revolut.
The real savings comes from avoiding traditional bank forex cards entirely.
Understanding hidden forex fees changed how I think about international transactions.
My Personal Setup
I use both cards. Different purposes.
Niyo Global is my primary travel card. Hotels. Restaurants. Shopping. Daily expenses.
Why? The free travel insurance. The simple app. The Indian bank backing.
Revolut is for larger transactions. Paying for courses. International subscriptions. Times when I want the absolute best rate.
When I enrolled in a marketing course from Stanford Online last year, I used Revolut. Saved almost $50 on the $2500 fee.
My wife prefers Niyo Global. She likes that it feels more “Indian.” Customer support speaks Hindi. App is intuitive.
My older son uses Revolut. He’s fascinated by the crypto and stock features.
Having both gives flexibility.
Think of it like this. Niyo Global is your reliable Honda City. Gets you everywhere. No fuss. Low maintenance.
Revolut is your Tesla. Packed with features. Exciting. Requires more attention.
📊 68% of frequent international travelers use multiple forex cards, according to a 2024 study by NCAER. (Source: Economic Times)
Which One for You?
If you’re an Indian resident who travels occasionally and wants simplicity, get Niyo Global.
If you’re globally mobile, tech savvy, and want advanced features, get Revolut.
If you travel frequently and manage money across countries, get both.
The account opening is free for both. No harm in having options.
When I was working at Druva, I traveled between India and the US constantly. Having multiple cards saved me multiple times.
One card declined? Use the other. ATM limit reached? Switch cards.
Redundancy matters when you’re 8000 miles from home.
For families planning to return to India, starting with Niyo Global makes sense. It’s designed for this exact transition.
For NRIs who maintain dual financial lives, Revolut offers more flexibility.
There’s no single right answer.
My mom, who’s in her 60s, uses Niyo Global. Simple for her. Clear interface. Hindi support.
My tech friends prefer Revolut. They love the features.
If you’re planning a big international purchase, which platform would you trust with $10,000?
That question helped me decide. For peace of mind, Niyo Global. For best rates, Revolut.
💡Tip: Start with small loads. Test both platforms with $100-200 before committing large amounts.
Also worth noting. Neither card works everywhere. I’ve had both declined at random places.
Always carry a backup. A regular credit card. Some cash. Never rely on just one payment method abroad.
The best travel credit cards still have a place in your wallet.
Real Talk About Limitations
Niyo Global has transaction limits. Maximum $10,000 per year under LRS rules.
Revolut India also follows LRS. Same $250,000 limit annually.
Both cards are prepaid. You can’t spend more than you load.
ATM withdrawals have limits. Free withdrawals are capped monthly.
Neither card works for US online subscriptions that require US billing addresses. Netflix US. HBO Max. Those still need US cards.
I learned this the hard way trying to keep my Spotify US account active.
Customer service for Revolut can be slow. It’s mostly chat based. Sometimes you wait hours for responses.
Niyo Global has phone support. But only during business hours.
Neither is perfect. Both are infinitely better than traditional forex cards.
The Real Bottom Line
International banking used to be complicated. Expensive. Painful.
Niyo Global and Revolut changed that.
Choose based on your life situation. Not what sounds cooler.
I chose both because my life spans geographies. My work is global. My family has roots in two countries.
When my US born son visits his grandparents in Florida, he uses Revolut. When we vacation in Thailand, everyone uses Niyo Global.
The right choice is the one that removes friction from your life.
For questions about which card works best in specific countries, ask in our Back to India community. People share real experiences there daily.
Someone just posted about using Niyo Global in Japan. Another person shared Revolut tips for Europe.
Collective wisdom beats any article.
TLDR
Niyo Global:
- Best for Indian residents
- Simplest KYC process
- Free travel insurance included
- RBI regulated Indian bank
- Perfect for occasional travelers
- Hindi customer support
- Zero learning curve
Revolut:
- Best for global citizens
- 28+ currency support
- Interbank exchange rates
- Stock and crypto trading
- Advanced budgeting tools
- Premium tiers with lounge access
- More complex features
Both Cards:
- Zero forex markup
- Free to open
- Prepaid cards
- Real time rate visibility
- Mobile app based
- Work in 150+ countries
Get Niyo Global if: You want simplicity, travel occasionally, prefer Indian banking, need free travel insurance.
Get Revolut if: You’re tech savvy, travel frequently, want best rates, need multi-currency management, interested in investing features.
Get Both if: You travel often, manage money across borders, want backup options, can handle two apps.
Sources:
- Niyo Global official website: https://www.goniyo.com/
- Revolut official website: https://www.revolut.com/
- RBI Liberalised Remittance Scheme: https://www.rbi.org.in/
- Equitas Small Finance Bank: https://www.equitasbank.com/
- NCAER International Travel Study: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
- Visa Exchange Rates: https://www.visa.co.in/