Monzo vs Revolut referral: which is worth more in 2026?
Monzo wins on cash for the new joiner: a two-sided £10 you keep (£50 on business), paid in minutes after one card purchase. Revolut's October 2026 campaign pays its cash reward to the referrer, so what you get is a free account and one of the best travel cards in the UK. Open both to get the most out of each.
£10 personal · £50 business
Free account and travel card
Key takeaways
- Monzo pays you £10 (£50 on business), two-sided and ongoing, after one card purchase within 30 days.
- Revolut's campaign rewards the referrer with cash set by Revolut; the new joiner gets a free account plus any in-app welcome offer.
- Monzo is the pick for joining cash; Revolut is the pick for travel, with a card that pays in 150+ currencies at great exchange rates.
- They are different products with separate eligibility, so opening both is the value-maximising move.
Our pick here: Monzo pays £10 · £50 business, verified against its own terms.
Both Monzo and Revolut are fixtures of UK fintech, but as referrals they could hardly be more different, and the difference decides which is worth more to you rather than to the person sharing the link.
The headline numbers
Monzo pays £10 to each side on a personal account, or a flat £50 each side on a business account, once the new customer makes a single card purchase within 30 days. It is two-sided and ongoing.
Revolut runs a referrer-only campaign in October 2026: the person who shared the link earns a cash reward that Revolut sets, once the new joiner completes four steps (ID check, a top-up from another bank or card, a physical card order and the card purchases the campaign asks for). As the new joiner you get a free account and any welcome offer the app shows you.
Who actually gets paid
Monzo's bonus lands for both parties, so whether you are inviting or being invited, you get the same amount (£10, or £50 on business). Revolut's cash reward sits on the referrer's side. What you get is the account itself: a card that pays in 150+ currencies at great exchange rates, budgets and instant payments to friends.
Effort and certainty
Monzo asks for one purchase, and the money arrives in minutes. Revolut asks for four steps spread over a few days, including ordering a physical card (a delivery fee may apply on the Standard plan). For quick joining cash, Monzo is the easier win.
Protection
Both run on FCA-authorised, PRA-regulated entities with FSCS protection up to £120,000 on eligible deposits. Crypto or investments held in either app are never FSCS-protected.
The verdict
For a dependable, two-sided cash bonus, Monzo wins: it's the referral we recommend first. Revolut earns its place for travel and spending abroad, and your friend is rewarded when you join with their link. Because they are separate products with separate eligibility, the smart play is simply to open both as a new customer.
To claim it, use the Monzo code fzwdlcvv or join through topreferrals.co.uk/go/monzo (you get £10 · £50 business).
To claim it, use the Revolut code behzad6664!OCT1-26-VR-GB or join through topreferrals.co.uk/go/revolut (you get Free account).
Side by side
| Monzo | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|
| New joiner gets | £10 (£50 business) | Free account + any in-app offer |
| Referrer gets | The same as you | Cash reward set by Revolut |
| Two-sided | Yes | No |
| Steps to qualify | One card purchase | ID, top-up, physical card, card purchases |
| Speed | Minutes | Within 10 working days after the campaign closes |
| Campaign clock | None — ongoing | Campaigns with an end date set by Revolut |
| Physical card needed | No | Yes (delivery fee may apply on Standard) |
| FSCS protection | Up to £120,000 | Up to £120,000 on deposits |
Frequently asked questions
Which pays more, Monzo or Revolut?
For a new joiner, Monzo. It pays £10 to both sides (£50 on business) after one card purchase. Revolut's October 2026 campaign pays its cash reward to the referrer; as a new customer you get the free account and any welcome offer the app shows you.
Is the Revolut referral reward a joining bonus?
No. In the October 2026 campaign it is paid to the person who invited you, once you complete four steps: ID check, top-up, physical card order and the campaign's card purchases.
How long does each bonus take to arrive?
Monzo credits in minutes after the qualifying card purchase clears. Revolut pays the referrer within 10 working days after the campaign closes.
Can I open both accounts?
Yes, and it is the value-maximising move. They are separate products with separate eligibility, so claiming both is straightforward if you qualify for each.
Are both covered by the FSCS?
Both run on FCA-authorised, PRA-regulated entities with FSCS protection up to £120,000 on eligible deposits. Crypto and investments held in either app are never FSCS-protected.
Claim the rewards
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Last checked 6 November 2026 by Bez, Editor-in-Chief. Figures verified against each brand's own terms. How we check.
