Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Current vs Wise
Current
Higher score in this comparison
Wise
Current vs Wise: the differences
| Compare | CurrentReviewVisitVisit | WiseReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 0.25% to 4%Higher | 3.29% |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 |
| Access terms | Savings Pods accessible on demand in the mobile app, no notice period, up to three pods | Instant access to money and gains; transfer up to 100,000 GBP (Personal) daily without delay |
| Monthly fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account kind | Easy access | Cash management |
| Minimum deposit | $0.010 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable).
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Key differences
- Current scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Wise is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Wise is available in 34 more countries.
- Headline rate is higher at Current: 0.25% to 4% vs 3.29%.
- Support channels: only Current offers Chat, Email.
Our verdict on each
Current
Current is a set-aside account for a teen in the US who wants a pot they can reach from the phone. The minimum deposit is $0.01 and the variable rate runs 0.25% to 4%, so the pay on savings can move as the provider adjusts it.
Wise
Wise runs as a cash management account rather than a savings product, so it suits expats and travellers who need many currencies and no monthly charge, not people chasing the top rate. It scores 5.2 here, with a variable rate of 3.29% and a monthly fee of £0.
Score breakdown
| Area | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Monthly fees on the easy-access account run at $0, transfers cost $0 - no bank transfer fees and conversion 3%. | 9.1A monthly fee of £0, a conversion fee of 0.24% and an exchange rate markup of 0% keep running costs low. |
| Offer | 8.7Higher | 8.640 currencies, local details for iban, uk sort code and us ach and a variable rate of 3.29% on the balance. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.8 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Not confirmed | BE_NBB PSD_PI BE_NBB!0713629988 |
| Estonia | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | NMLS 2533115 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Current: 1. Additional countries for Wise: 35.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 27 of 1420 | 494 of 1420 |
Also worth a look
Finom has headline rate at 5%, against 0.25% to 4% for Current and 3.29% for Wise.
Finom reviewSources behind this comparison
Current
- current.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Wise
- wise.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euclid.eba.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | Finco Services, Inc. dba Current | Wise Europe SA |
| Headquarters | United States | Belgium |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2011 |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Licence type | Not confirmed | Payment institution |
| Currency conversion fee | 3% | 0.24%Lower |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 40 |
| Audience | Teen | Expats, Travelers |
| Features | Free ATM, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more | Free ATM |
| Local account details | Us ACH | IBAN, UK sort code, Us ACHCovers more |
| Free ATM withdrawals | $0 | £250 |
| Transfer fee | $0 - no bank transfer fees | From 0.24%, varies by currency |
Money transfer
| Fact | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate markup | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Card |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Current | Wise | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 0.25% to 4%above the median | 3.29%above the median | 3.25 |
| Minimum deposit | $0.010above the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 658 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Current
Pros
- Deposits are covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000, which is the detail a new saver should check.
- The stated audience is teen, and the account kind is easy access.
- Pods open on demand in the mobile app with no notice period, so a set-aside stays flexible.
Cons
- The 0.25% to 4% range has a low floor, so a pod can earn very little for stretches.
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre, so there is no phone line for urgent questions.
- Currency conversion costs 3%, which makes it a weak base for holding travel money.
Wise
Pros
- No recurring charge: the monthly fee is £0, matching the €0 site median while some accounts charge as much as €449.
- Conversion is cheap: a fee of 0.24% and an exchange rate markup of 0%, against a 0.5% site median conversion fee.
- Instant access on a floating return: money and gains come out without delay, and the variable rate stands at 3.29%.
Cons
- Support is self-service: help centre is the only channel listed, so there is no phone line or live chat listed for a stuck transfer.
- The rate is variable, so the 3.29% headline can fall, and the brand ranks 220 of 473 on headline rate.
- Moving money is not free: transfer fees are From 0.24%, varies by currency and converting adds 0.24% each time a currency changes.
Who each suits
Current
Who it suits
- A teen in the US starting to set money aside, since the stated audience is teen.
- Anyone happy to manage saving in the app, since pods run on demand with no notice period.
- US savers paid in dollars, with transfers moving over us ach.
Who should look elsewhere
- Plazo ES, whose headline rate of 24.19% sits well above the 0.25% to 4% range here.
- AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito, listed at 21.59% if a higher headline number is the goal.
- PayPal Colombia, listed at 3.3%, for anyone shopping only on the headline rate.
Wise
Who it suits
- Expatriates and travellers who hold money in more than one currency: the account is built for expats and travelers and covers 40 currencies.
- Anyone who wants a place to park cash without a recurring charge, since the monthly fee is £0.
- People who need money to arrive in local formats, since local account details are offered for iban, uk sort code and us ach.
Who should look elsewhere
- Plazo ES or AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito, whose headline rates of 24.19% and 21.59% are the ones to look at when the rate on the balance matters more than currency cover.
- PayPal Colombia, whose headline rate of 3.3% is close to 3.29%, so a saver gives up little on yield and gains nothing on the 40 currency range.
Current offers
Current
Current offer
Bonus
1% cash back on eligible Build Card purchases: 1% cash back
To earn Points you must receive at least one Eligible Payroll Deposit of at least $200 over a 35-day period and make Build Card purchases at retailers whose merchant code is in the selected categories in the app; points expire 365 days after they settle
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Current | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
8 of 36 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Current
What does it cost to run a Current account?+
The monthly fee is $0 and the model is no monthly fee, so there is no standing charge to watch. Bank transfers are listed as $0 - no bank transfer fees. The cost that does apply is currency conversion at 3%, which matters if money is held or spent in another currency.
How do I move money in and out?+
Transfers run over us ach, so money moves through the US system. Bank transfers carry $0 - no bank transfer fees, and the minimum deposit is $0.01, so a small transfer is enough to open a pod and add to it later.
Wise
What rate does Wise pay on money held in the account?+
The headline rate is 3.29% and it is a variable rate, so the figure can move rather than being set for a term. Interest is credited to the balance and the money plus the gains stay available, which suits someone who wants a return without tying funds away.
Is there a monthly fee for keeping money with Wise?+
The monthly fee is £0, and the account is built on a no monthly fee model, so there is no recurring charge to maintain it. The site median monthly fee is €0 while some accounts charge as much as €449, so this sits at the cheap end of the range.
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Related by the facts
Current
Wise